AN investigation into emergency care and breast cancer referral times has closed at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Monitor, the Foundation Trust regulator, said it is closing its formal investigation as it is satisfied improvements have been made.

The investigation into the trust was opened in August after it emerged that some patients were waiting too long to be assessed for emergency and breast cancer care.

The health sector regulator wanted to find out why the trust was failing to see 95 per cent of A&E patients in under four hours, in line with national targets. Its investigation also looked into why some patients with breast cancer symptoms, primarily in Scarborough, were waiting longer than two weeks to see a specialist following a referral from their GP.

Paul Chandler, regional director at Monitor said: "Since we opened our investigation the trust has improved its performance in assessing patients for breast cancer care. The board also has credible plans in place to cut waiting times in its A&E.

"We are closing our investigation but want to see the trust building on the progress made so far."

The health sector regulator will continue to scrutinise the trust’s performance and may take further action if necessary.

Patrick Crowley, chief executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted with Monitor’s decision, and I am pleased that we have been able to provide the evidence and reassurance to our regulators with regard to the running of our organisation. 

“Whilst our performance regarding cancer targets has improved, and we were able to demonstrate to Monitor that we have plans in place to reduce waiting times in our emergency departments, we must nonetheless continue to play our part in improving performance against the four hour target alongside our commissioners and our partners in primary care and social care. 

“Neither I, nor Monitor, can be complacent about our current performance, and we must continue to strive to meet our obligations in this regard.”