The new NHS: providers
Under the reforms, all remaining NHS trusts are expected to become foundation trusts by April 2014 and the Act outlines a new failure regime for providers that are financially unsustainable.
Although the provider reforms received little attention during the debate on the Health and Social Care Act, they are very important. It is clear that a number of NHS trusts are not financially sustainable and will struggle to achieve foundation trust status — this is likely to prompt mergers and service reconfigurations. The use of the trust special administration regime recently in South London suggests that more hospitals may go down this route in future.
Related publications
Dealing with financially unsustainable providers: how will the failure regime work?
The financial pressures within the NHS are being particularly harshly felt by hospital trusts. We ask why failure regime is needed in the NHS and how will it work?
Transforming the delivery of health and social care: the case for fundamental change
This report explores how the current health and social care delivery system has failed to keep pace with the population's needs and expectations.
Briefing: Reconfiguring hospital services
This briefing calls for radical changes to streamline the process for reorganising NHS services and prevent politicians from blocking essential changes.
This report reviews the role and objectives of payment systems in the English NHS, focusing on Payment by Results.
Reconfiguring hospital services: lessons from South East London
This paper considers whether reconfiguration of hospital services is an appropriate response to the need to drive up quality and drive down costs.
Related blogs
The NHS in 2013: no place for the faint hearted
The NHS reforms in England will have major implications for all involved in the system, none more so than providers, says Chris Ham.
Payment by Results: time for a rethink?
John Appleby asks, now we know more about how Payment by Results operates and how similar methods work in other countries, is it time for a rethink?
The Health and Social Care Act: what next for the NHS?
Anna Dixon asks how the Act differs from Andrew Lansley's original plans. What challenges will the NHS face as it is implemented?
Tackling financial failure: how will the proposed legislation work out in practice?
Anna Dixon argues that short-term decisions made in crisis about the future of one organisation are unlikely to be in the best interests of patients and the taxpayer.
Provider reform: will anything be different this time round?
Current debates about the future of hospitals echo those of the 1970s. Chris Ham asks if anything will be different this time.
External articles
Competition isn't always the best option
John Appleby writes in the Health Service Journal that competition in the NHS has to be carefully managed if we are to get cost-effective, high-quality health care.
Related multimedia
NHS providers - is bigger better?
Candace Imison gives an overview of where the NHS is now and what challenges it will face going forward.