Chris Mellor, Acting Chair of Monitor, the regulatory body for NHS Foundation Trusts, has written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about the progress being made at the trust.
Monitor has advised that further progress has been made at the trust since December 2009.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has advised that it has an ongoing engagement with Basildon and Thurrock as part of the registration process which began in January. CQC is in the process of assessing whether conditions will need to be attached to the trust's registration on 1 April.
The Secretary of State will update the House in a written ministerial statement which will be issued on 5 March.