This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/8256331.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
New inquiry into hospital deaths Hospital's inquiry 'too narrow'
(about 3 hours later)
A second inquiry has started into the failings of patient care at Stafford Hospital. A solicitor representing campaigners has condemned a second inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital as "a narrow, private process".
In March, a Healthcare Commission report condemned the local NHS trust for allowing unqualified staff to carry out checks on patients. Richard Stein, who is acting for the Cure the NHS (CtN) group, was speaking on the opening day of the inquiry.
It also said "appalling" emergency care had led to patients "dying needlessly". He said many relatives felt other reports had already established what happened to patients.
The Cure the NHS campaign group, which criticised plans to hold discussions in private, held a silent protest after Tuesday morning's meeting. In March, a Healthcare Commission report said "appalling" emergency care had led to patients "dying needlessly".
Members of the group also voiced anger that the independent inquiry would not examine why watchdogs did not detect problems at Stafford Hospital earlier. It also condemned the local NHS trust for allowing unqualified staff to carry out checks on patients.
Speaking after the inquiry chairman, Robert Francis QC, had outlined the terms of reference, Cure the NHS founder Julie Bailey described its scope as a "whitewash" which would not establish what went wrong. CtN held a silent protest after a meeting on Tuesday.
'Exceptional failures' Oral hearings
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said earlier this year that current and former NHS staff would be expected to co-operate with the inquiry. 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.
He confirmed that oral hearings, including those involving staff and senior managers at the hospital, would be held in private. 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 checksInitial checks
He said the inquiry would not be a forum for debate about the role of regulators and other statutory bodies in the events at Stafford between 2005 and March 2009.
The new inquiry was announced by the Department of Health earlier this year as part of a package of measures to tackle "exceptional failures" in foundation trusts.
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.