Trust breaches licence by missing targets.

A Gloucestershire hospital trust has breached its licence by not meeting A&E waiting times, the watchdog NHS Improvement, has found.

NHS Improvement  - formerly known as Monitor - said Gloucestershire NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust had not met the required four-hour target.

The trust has said it will provide extra support to Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals to ensure A&E patients are seen more quickly.

However, an investigation in by NHS Improvement has found the trust was not achieving this.

A trust spokesman said it was disappointed by the findings but remained committed to “getting it right for its patients.” A recovery plan had been put in place to cut waiting times.

In May and June 2016, the trust saw 87% of patients within four hours while the target is 95%.

NHS Improvement said it was working closely with the trust to help it make further improvements and recognised its efforts in trying to meet its target.

NHS Improvement regional director, Claudia Griffith said: "There are significant changes that still need to be made to make sure patients are being seen more quickly. We will work closely with the trust ensure it has everything in place to develop a robust recovery plan so it can continue to make positive changes."

Trust chief executive, Deborah Lee, said: "We fully accept the need to improve performance in A&E and the role that we have to play in achieving this.

"We are also encouraged by the recognition locally among our health and social care partners that, in order to fully tackle this complex issue, we need to work closely as a health and care community."

NHS Improvement said it will monitor the trust's progress and may take further regulatory action if necessary.