All the NHS trusts in England are being ordered to get themselves registered with the Care Quality Commission, which is the new super-regulator, for continuing with their services.

The authority of CQC has been enhanced from this month, enabling it to issue warning notices or fines, limit services or even shut the hospitals, if the trusts fail to meet the orders.

Cynthia Bower, Chief Executive of the CQC, said that the commission will be scrutinizing the hospital trusts regularly now onwards with surprise inspections. He said that their basic aim behind it is to improve the performance of the hospitals in terms of staff management and care services.

"We have set out the steps we expect to be taken and by when. It is now the responsibility of these trusts to ensure improvements are made. If they fail to act, we will take appropriate action", he said.

The CQC today announced the set of conditions to be followed, for 10 trusts, in addition to that announced already for the other 12, bringing the total count of hospitals covered, to 22.

Out of the total 22, 12 are Foundation Trusts, which have been recognized by NHS for excellence.

Other trusts have been told to increase the number of staff and replace old or poorly maintained machinery.

7 out the 10 trusts, including Basildon and Thurrock, have been asked to undertake immediate improvements.