An investigation has been launched into the finances of the NHS trust responsible for Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Financial problems at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are being investigated by a regulator, which says it may ‘indicate wider issues with how the trust is being run’.

Health sector regulator Monitor will look into financial strains on the trust such as the introduction and management of the new ‘e-hospital’ IT system.

Stephen Hay, managing director at Monitor, said: “We want to know more about the nature of the problems and will explore what can be done to improve things on behalf of patients in Cambridge.”

Monitor took separate regulatory action at the trust in 2013 over concerns about finances and the way it was run, but this action ended in July last year after improvements were made.

A spokesman for the NHS trust said: “Monitor has today announced that they are investigating our Trust finances in light of our predicted deficit.

“The significant investment this year in e-hospital is having an impact on our finances, with efficiency benefits increasing as the system becomes fully embedded.

“We would like to reassure the public and patients that we are doing everything possible to improve our financial position, while ensuring safe care for our patients.”

Monitor has not decided whether further regulatory action will be required in relation to their investigation.