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Fresh inquiry at failing hospital | |
(20 minutes later) | |
A second inquiry is to be held into Stafford Hospital where a health watchdog found "appalling" emergency care led to patients dying needlessly. | |
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said current and ex-NHS staff would be expected to co-operate with inquiry. | |
It will build on existing reports and clinical reviews currently under way. | |
In March a Healthcare Commission investigation found, between 2005 and 2008, about 400 more people died at the hospital than would have been expected. | |
'Exceptional failures' | |
The Commission identified deficiencies at "virtually every stage" of emergency care and that managers pursued targets to the detriment of patient care. | |
One of the worst examples of care cited in the watchdog's report was the use of receptionists to carry out initial checks on patients. | One of the worst examples of care cited in the watchdog's report was the use of receptionists to carry out initial checks on patients. |
The new inquiry will be chaired by Robert Francis QC who will hear evidence from patients and families and identify lessons for the future, the government said. | |
The inquiry was announced by the Department of Health as part of a package of measures to tackle "exceptional failures" in foundation trusts. | |
'Significant step' | |
The government said if the chairman considered it necessary to have the power to require witnesses to attend, the secretary of state would take the necessary steps to ensure this happened. | |
Campaigners have been pushing for a public inquiry to be held, but the government previously said there was no need as the Healthcare Commission investigation had been comprehensive. | |
The Conservative MP for Stone in Staffordshire, Bill Cash, said Tuesday's announcement was "a significant step forward". | The Conservative MP for Stone in Staffordshire, Bill Cash, said Tuesday's announcement was "a significant step forward". |
Last week it was announced Antony Sumara had been appointed as chief executive of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which looks after Stafford Hospital. | |
Sir Stephen Moss has been appointed as chairman. | |
Former chief executive Martin Yeates resigned in March, along with chairman Toni Brisby, before the damning report into the hospital was published. |