Unsustainable Providers Regime - Information

South London Healthcare NHS Trust is currently under the NHS Unsustainable Providers Regime. This decision was taken by the Secretary of State for Health in light of on-going financial difficulties at the Trust. As part of this, a Trust Special Administrator (TSA) has been appointed to develop a set of recommendations for the future of services currently provided by South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) , which includes how they work within the wider south east London healthcare system. His priority is to ensure that patients can access services that are safe, high quality, affordable and sustainable in the long term.

Many people across south east London – clinical leaders, health service experts, local authority partners, patient and public representatives – have been involved in the development of the work thus far. At this stage a list of possible options for the future design of services are being reviewed by clinicians against a set of robust evaluation criteria they have endorsed. Patient and public representatives as well as NHS staff will be involved in discussions around these options before draft recommendations are published by 29 October.

There will be a full public consultation in November and December, and no decision will be made about the future of services or organisational structure for SLHT before or during this time. The Secretary of State for Health will make the final decision in February 2013, once the TSA gives him his final recommendations in January.

The Trust Special Administrator would like to encourage all patients, public and NHS staff in south east London to take part in the consultation when it begins in early November. Information on how to respond will be publicised in a number of ways, including in the local media and on the SLHT website, so people can have their say.

Extension of UPR Process

Starting on 16 July 2012 the Trust Special Administrator (TSA) for South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) has a period of 75 working days to produce and publish a draft report on his recommendations for SLHT – this 75 working day period includes a 30 working day extension granted by the Secretary of State when he announced the regime would be starting at SLHT.

The TSA will then consult on this draft report for a period of 30 working days, concluding on 14 December 2012 before he presents his final report to the Secretary of State by 8 January 2013. The Secretary of State will then make a decision on the TSA's recommendations for services in south east London by 4 February 2013.

Note to Suppliers

Please refer to the attached letter from Richard Douglas, Director-General Strategy, Finance & NHS, Department of Health & Head of the Government Finance Profession, HM Treasury

More information

Letter from Andrew Lansley to staff

In order to facilitate engagement with patients during this uncertain time, we will be updating our website regularly with developments. Please email any questions you would like addressed to slh-tr.trustspecialadministrator@nhs.net or write to him at: Matthew Kershaw, South London Healthcare NHS Trust, Trust Headquarters, Queen Mary's Hospital, Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6LT