Independent auditors today have ruled NHS Suffolk as the best primary care trust (PCT) in the East of England for its use of resources and financial management.

Julian Herbert, director of finance at NHS Suffolk said: “Sound financial management of healthcare resources means better and more efficient healthcare services for the people who need them. This is a clear message that we are doing our best at managing NHS healthcare for the people of Suffolk.”

This is the result of the latest assessment of NHS financial performance undertaken by the Audit Commission, published today, 1 October 2009. In 2008-09 auditors assessed England’s 152 PCTs under a new and more demanding ‘use of resources’ (UoR) regime.

This assessment considers how PCTs manage their finances, workforce and assets to deliver value for money, and how they govern themselves.

In common with the rest of England no PCT achieved a top score, but notably, NHS Suffolk performed best out of the 14 PCTs the East of England region.

This news follows yesterday’s annual general meeting held by NHS Suffolk, at which it revealed a £49.7 million increase in healthcare spending during 2008-09 and overall management costs set at just 1.9% of total expenditure – lower than the regional average.

Issued by the NHS Suffolk Communications Team on 01473 770014
For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk