Annual Accounts

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the accounts

The directors are required under the National Health Service Act 2006 to prepare accounts for each financial year.

The Secretary of State, with the approval of HM Treasury, directs that these accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust and of the income and expenditure, other items of comprehensive income and cash flows for the year. In preparing those accounts, the directors are required to:

• apply on a consistent basis accounting policies laid down by the Secretary of State with the approval of the Treasury
• make judgements and estimates which are reasonable and prudent
• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts and
• prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis and disclose any material uncertainties over going concern.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with requirements outlined in the above mentioned direction of the Secretary of State.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors confirm to the best of their knowledge and belief they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the accounts.

The directors confirm that the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for patients, regulators and stakeholders to assess the NHS trust’s performance, business model and strategy By order of the board

Helen Greatorex, Chief Executive Date: 24 June 2020
Sheila Stenson, Finance Director Date: 24 June 2020