AN investigation has been launched today into the finances of Halton and Warrington Hospitals.

Health regulator Monitor will seek to understand why the trust’s finances have deteriorated and whether it has a credible plan to improve them.

It will also examine how the trust, which runs health care services in Runcorn, Widnes, Warrington and the surrounding areas, is working with other local NHS bodies to address its problems.

Paul Chandler, regional director at Monitor, said: “Patients in Cheshire rely on their local hospitals and we want to make sure that Warrington and Halton Hospitals can continue to provide quality care while effectively managing its finances.

“We want to find out why the trust’s finances have deteriorated and what can be done to fix them.”

Monitor will announce the outcome of its investigation, and whether any regulatory action is needed, in due course.

Mel Pickup, chief executive of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:“Like many hospitals of our size we have faced significant operational pressures this year, which means that our operating expenses have been significantly higher than our planned income in a period where we have experienced intense pressure on our services.

“For example we have treated 2,000 extra emergency in-patients who have needed our care and faced other significant service pressures.

“The chance to look at issues faced by the trust and across the health community with other local organisations will be very useful.”

Monitor released figures last week that showed that 31 of the 38 trusts of comparable size to Warrington and Halton Hospitals are in deficit this financial year.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals are expecting to meet a revised financial plan of a £5.9 million deficit, against an overall budget of £215m.

Their original plan was to finish the year with a deficit of £1.5m.