Public spending watchdog rates NNUH best value for money

A new report by public spending watchdog the Audit Commission has revealed the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust is delivering the best value for money and financial management of any acute NHS trust in the country.

Every year the Audit Commission undertakes the Auditors Local Evaluation (ALE) of all NHS acute and primary care trusts and examines value for money and financial management. ALE scores NHS organisations on a range from 1 to 4 with four being the highest possible score.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust was the only NHS acute trust in the country to receive an overall score of 4 and the trust features as a best practice case study in the Audit Commission's newly published “Review of the NHS financial year 2006/07” report. Only five other organisations nationally achieved an overall score of 4 and they were all primary care trusts.

The Audit Commission case study focuses on the Trust's system for risk-rating cost savings during 2006/07. The report can be viewed at www.audit-commission.gov.uk

Trust Chairman David Prior said: “Fundamental changes to the way in which NHS hospitals are financed have presented a big challenge to all hospitals, especially new PFI hospitals like NNUH. To receive this high ranking from the Audit Commission is a great tribute to the entire hospital team.”