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Hospital's inquiry 'too narrow' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A solicitor representing campaigners has condemned a second inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital as "a narrow, private process". | |
Richard Stein, who is acting for the Cure the NHS (CtN) group, was speaking on the opening day of the inquiry. | |
He said many relatives felt other reports had already established what happened to patients. | |
In March, a Healthcare Commission report said "appalling" emergency care had led to patients "dying needlessly". | |
It also condemned the local NHS trust for allowing unqualified staff to carry out checks on patients. | |
CtN held a silent protest after a meeting on Tuesday. | |
Oral hearings | |
Mr Stein said CtN now intended to seek a judicial review of the limited scope of the independent inquiry. | |
"It's extremely disappointing for patients and for bereaved relatives that it's going to be a narrow, private process rather than the open, public and all-embracing one that the people of Stafford need and deserve," he said. | |
Speaking after inquiry chairman, Robert Francis QC, had outlined the terms of reference, CtN founder Julie Bailey described its scope as a "whitewash" which would not establish what went wrong. | |
After meeting with interested parties, Mr Francis promised it would allow patients and their families to give an account of their experiences. | After meeting with interested parties, Mr Francis promised it would allow patients and their families to give an account of their experiences. |
Medical information | |
He confirmed oral hearings, including those involving staff and senior managers at the hospital, would be held in private. | |
Asked why the inquiry would be held in private, Mr Francis pointed out much of the material he would have to consider would be sensitive and confidential medical information. | |
Mr Francis said: "I drew to the secretary of state's attention [to the] view of mine and also the request by Cure the NHS that the terms of reference should be extended. | Mr Francis said: "I drew to the secretary of state's attention [to the] view of mine and also the request by Cure the NHS that the terms of reference should be extended. |
"He wrote to me recently... declining in that respect to extend the terms of reference." | "He wrote to me recently... declining in that respect to extend the terms of reference." |
Initial checks | Initial checks |
The report in March said about 400 more people died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected. | The report in March said about 400 more people died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected. |
It also found receptionists carried out initial checks on patients. | It also found receptionists carried out initial checks on patients. |
The Care Quality Commission, which replaced the Health Commission, said there had been progress, but some areas had to be addressed "urgently". | The Care Quality Commission, which replaced the Health Commission, said there had been progress, but some areas had to be addressed "urgently". |
The trust has said lessons had been learned and staffing levels had been increased. | The trust has said lessons had been learned and staffing levels had been increased. |