What's going to happen if a provider simply can't continue to provide the essential health care services its contracted for?
During 2013 Monitor's role will change significantly when it becomes the sector regulator for health care. Its primary duty will be to protect and promote the interests of patients. As part of that role it will have powers to protect certain patient services (called Commissioner Requested Services) and enable them to continue should a provider become financially unviable. Through Monitor's provider license it will monitor the financial health of providers and take appropriate action if there are warning signs of a provider getting into difficulty. However commissioners will have the main responsibility for ensuring the continuity of services in their local area. This includes identifying the types of services which may need to be protected if a provider should have financial problems. Commissioners are required under the new Act to have regard to Monitor's guidance.
Monitor's draft Commissioner Requested Services and Protected Services Guidance remains open for comment until 8th November and is available from http://www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/consult.