Watchdog vows to use MPs’ report as basis for solution

A team of experts has been created by the health regulator Monitor to finally resolve Peterborough City Hospital’s financial problems.

Monitor announced today it has appointed prof essional services f i rm PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out an indepth review into the best way to help the ailing hospital.

It is thought the review will cost the taxpayer up to £ 3 million.

A Monitor spokeswoman said: “We have appointed a Contingency Planning Team comprising a range of experts to recommend a long- term solution.

“This must both ensure the sustainability of services for patients and minimises the further burden on the taxpayer.

“We will take the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee into account in identifying the mostappropriate long- term solution.

“The team appointed by Monitor will build on the work already undertaken to diagnose and address the underlying financial issues of Peterborough andStamford Hospitals Trust.

“It will consult widely with the local health economy to find a sustainable solution for providing quality services to the people in the Peterborough area.”

She said the MPs’ report had raised important lessons about the handling of the PFI proposal.

“Monitor commissioned an independent review to learn from this experience and is implementing there commendations to strengthen its oversight of long- term investments made by trusts.”