THE 2gether NHS Foundation Trust has been issued with its new provider licence by independent regulator Monitor.

The licence is the tool Monitor will use to regulate foundation trusts and other NHS-funded providers under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

It sets out the obligations providers will have to meet in order to assist Monitor to fulfil its principal duty to protect and promote the interests of patients.

The licence conditions will help Monitor set prices for NHS care; enable integrated care; prevent anti-competitive behaviour which is against the interests of patients; and help commissioners ensure patients have access to NHS services when providers run into severe difficulties.

The licence conditions will also allow Monitor to continue to regulate the way foundation trusts are governed.

2gether’s Chief Executive Shaun Clee said: “The licence should ensure our service users, partners, commissioners and communities can continue to have confidence in the way we manage and provide our services across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.”

Dr David Bennett, Chief Executive at Monitor, said: “Our goal is to have a licence which will allow us to operate as an evidence-based and patient-focused regulator in partnership with the Care Quality Commission and NHS Commissioning Board and enable licensees to focus on patient care.”