August performance was worse than expected, so a year to date the deficit is £398k. Year end forecast is now £1.65m surplus, which is in line with NHS London’s demands, but less than the Trust wanted. Good financial management is a requirement for foundation trust status so the Trust is anxious to keep on track.

Key focus for cutting costs is to reduce agency staff and deliver activities within normal working hours, also to improve activity levels at the Mount Vernon Treatment Centre and increase efficiency savings. Some progress was achieved in recent months. Full time staff increased by 26 and agency staff payments reduced by £100k, both steps in the right direction.

Clinical Quality

· Over the last eight years the Trust’s Standardised Mortality Ratio has dropped from 120 (above national average of 100) to 69.5 recently. A cause for pride!

· Hospital acquired infections are now below target – keeping it up is the problem!

· The Trust is among London’s best for A&E waiting times / 18 weeks to treatment / day surgery rates.

· Successful initiatives include the Rapid Recovery Programme for joint replacements, LEAN processes in clinical areas, the Bevan Single Room Ward (visitors come from all over the world!), and the Productive Ward.

Activity Trends

· Significant growth in A&E attendances continues

· Births trend is picking up again

· Non-elective work continues to rise

· Elective activity is reducing, a concern as Mount Vernon Treatment Centre needs activity.

Research and Development Annual Report

The Trust currently participates in 100 research studies, many of them cancer trials. Clinicians consider participation important for their own experience and so that patients are offered the most up to date treatments. Some research staff are funded by the Department of Health, the West London Comprehensive Local Research Network, and 4% are commercially funded. Research staff include a full time research nurse, a clinical trials co-ordinator, a clinical trials pharmacist and a Research & Development Manager who works at Ealing Hospital 2 days per week.