This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/15/mid-staffs-nhs-trust-charged-over-deaths-of-four-patients

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mid Staffs NHS trust charged over deaths of four patients Mid Staffs NHS trust charged over deaths of four patients
(35 minutes later)
Thee Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has brought criminal charges against Mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust over the deaths of four elderly patients between 2005 and May 2014. The Health and Safety Executive has brought criminal charges against Mid Staffordshire NHS trust over the deaths of four elderly patients between 2005 and May 2014.
HSE said it had charged the trust, which was engulfed by scandal, following a “thorough and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of four deaths of patients under its care”. The allegations relate to health and safety breaches. The HSE said it had charged the trust, which was engulfed by scandal, after a “thorough and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of four deaths of patients under its care”. The allegations relate to health and safety breaches.
“We have concluded our investigation into the death of four patients at Stafford hospital and have decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to bring criminal proceedings in this case,” said Wayne Owen, HSE principal inspector in the West Midlands. “We have concluded our investigation into the death of four patients at Stafford hospital and have decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to bring criminal proceedings in this case,” said Wayne Owen, HSE’s principal inspector in the West Midlands.
Related: Francis report: what went wrong with NHS leadership?Related: Francis report: what went wrong with NHS leadership?
The HSE said the charges related to the deaths of Patrick Daly, 89, who died on 13 May, 2014; Edith Bourne, 83, who died on 22 July 2013; Ivy Bunn, 90, who died on 6 November 2008; and Lillian Tucker, 77 who died on 21 October 2005. The HSE said the charges related to Patrick Daly, 89, who died on 13 May 2014; Edith Bourne, 83, who died on 22 July 2013; Ivy Bunn, 90, who died on 6 November 2008; and Lillian Tucker, 77 who died on 21 October 2005.
The trust is due to appear before Stafford magistrates on 4 November. The case is due to be heard by Stafford magistrates on 4 November.
The Mid Staffordshire trust was at the centre of one of the biggest scandals to hit the NHS when it emerged that an estimated 400-1,200 patients died as a result of poor care over the 50 months between January 2005 and March 2009 at Stafford hospital, a small district general hospital in Staffordshire. The Mid Staffordshire trust was at the centre of one of the biggest scandals to hit the NHS when it emerged that an estimated 400-1,200 patients had died as a result of poor care between January 2005 and March 2009 at Stafford hospital.
In 2009 Sir Ian Kennedy, the chairman of the Healthcare Commission, the regulator of NHS care standards at the time, said it was the most shocking scandal he had investigated.In 2009 Sir Ian Kennedy, the chairman of the Healthcare Commission, the regulator of NHS care standards at the time, said it was the most shocking scandal he had investigated.
Mid Staffordshire NHS hospital trust remains in place as a legal entity but no longer provides patient services. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS trust took over the running of what was Stafford hospital and Royal Stoke University hospital in November.Mid Staffordshire NHS hospital trust remains in place as a legal entity but no longer provides patient services. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS trust took over the running of what was Stafford hospital and Royal Stoke University hospital in November.
The Mid Staffs special administrator Tim Rideout said the remaining “shell organisation” would oversee any “potential criminal liabilities”. “I am committed to bringing matters to a conclusion as efficiently and effectively as possible in the best interests of the families concerned,” he said. The Mid Staffs special administrator, Tim Rideout, said the remaining “shell organisation” would oversee any “potential criminal liabilities”. “I am committed to bringing matters to a conclusion as efficiently and effectively as possible in the best interests of the families concerned,” he said.
Last year the trust was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay more than £27,000 in costs over what the judge described as “the wholly avoidable and tragic death of a vulnerable patient”. The HSE brought the unprecedented criminal case against the trust over the death of Gillian Astbury, 66, who died in 2007 because nurses at Stafford hospital failed to give her the routine insulin she required to stay alive. Last year the trust was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay more than £27,000 in costs over what the judge described as “the wholly avoidable and tragic death of a vulnerable patient”. The HSE brought the unprecedented criminal case against the trust over the death of Gillian Astbury, 66, who died in 2007 because nurses at Stafford hospital failed to give her the insulin she required to stay alive.