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Inquiry into poor hospital care Fresh inquiry at failing hospital
(20 minutes later)
An independent inquiry is to be held into a hospital that was criticised for "appalling failings". 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 made the announcement about Stafford Hospital on Tuesday morning. Health Secretary Andy Burnham said current and ex-NHS staff would be expected to co-operate with inquiry.
In March the Healthcare Commission said deficiencies in emergency care at the hospital had resulted in patients dying needlessly. It will build on existing reports and clinical reviews currently under way.
About 400 more people died there between 2005 and 2008 than would have been expected, it found. In March a Healthcare Commission investigation found, between 2005 and 2008, about 400 more people died at the hospital than would have been expected.
The Healthcare Commission said there were deficiencies at "virtually every stage" of emergency care and managers pursued targets to the detriment of patient care. '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.
Campaigners have pushed for a public inquiry to be held, but the government has previously said there was no need as the Healthcare Commission report had been comprehensive. 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.