5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Annual ... - Monitor

The Audit Committee provides an appropriate challenge to management to
ensure that recommendations are actioned and that significant assurance can
be provided to the Trust Board.
9. Review of effectiveness
As Accounting Officer I have responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of
the System of Internal Control. My review of the effectiveness of the System
of Internal Control is informed by the work of the internal auditors, clinical
audit and the Executive members and clinical leads within the NHS
Foundation Trust who have responsibility for the development and
maintenance of the Internal Control Framework. I have drawn on the content
of the Quality Report (page 77) attached to this Annual Report and other
performance information available to me.
My review is also informed by comments made by the external auditors in
their management letter and other reports. I have been advised on the
implications of the result of my review of the effectiveness of the System of
Internal Control by the Trust Board, the Audit Committee and the Clinical Risk
and Clinical Governance Committee and a plan to address weaknesses and
ensure continuous improvement of the system is in place.
The Audit Committee has a remit to review the adequacy of assurance for all
risk and control-related disclosure statements. This is supported by the
opinion of internal audit provided to the Audit Committee founded on a riskbased
audit programme. The audit plan covers risks to the achievement of
Trust objectives identified through the assurance framework process.
Progress against implementation of audit recommendations is stringently
monitored by the Audit Committee to ensure that any identified gaps in control
are closed.
Maintaining and reviewing Systems of Internal Control throughout the Trust is
monitored through the Trust Board, its sub-committees and an effective
Governance Structure. Specific roles are detailed in the following table:
Group Chaired
by
Trust Board Trust
Chairman
Functions
Holds responsibility for assuring the
effectiveness and suitability of internal control
systems.
Receives reports on Trust-wide significant and
current risk status through a bi-monthly Risk
Report.
Receives reports on risks mapped to the
achievement of the High-level Trust Objectives
through a bi-monthly Assurance Framework
Report.
Annual Report and Annual Accounts 2011-12 169