Half of acute trusts in London are not viable, say MPs

The financial and clinical viability of many NHS hospitals has deteriorated, making it “extremely difficult” for them all to become foundation trusts by April 2014, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has concluded.

London presents especially acute problems (BMJ 2011;343:d8130, 13 Dec, doi:10.1136/bmj.d8130). “We are particularly alarmed that the healthcare system in London has been allowed to deteriorate despite its problems having been known about for many years,” the committee’s report says. “At least half of the acute trusts in London are not viable in their current form.”

To become foundation trusts, hospitals need to have strong governance, long term financial viability, and a framework to deliver high quality services. Between 2004 and September 2011 139 acute care …