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Hospital deaths findings awaited Hospital deaths findings awaited
(about 8 hours later)
Further details are expected to emerge later about one of the worst scandals in the history of the NHS.Further details are expected to emerge later about one of the worst scandals in the history of the NHS.
The Stafford Hospital independent inquiry is also due to report on what can be learned from the case.The Stafford Hospital independent inquiry is also due to report on what can be learned from the case.
Regulators said last year at least 400 more people had died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected, due to "appalling" care.Regulators said last year at least 400 more people had died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected, due to "appalling" care.
The government-commissioned inquiry has already been dubbed a whitewash by campaigners who want a public inquiry.The government-commissioned inquiry has already been dubbed a whitewash by campaigners who want a public inquiry.
They have consistently called for a full public inquiry into how the scandal could have happened, including the role of the wider NHS in the case.They have consistently called for a full public inquiry into how the scandal could have happened, including the role of the wider NHS in the case.
STAFFORD HOSPITAL TIMELINE November 2007 - Campaign group, Cure the NHS, set up amid concerns about careMarch 2009 - Healthcare Commission report published, revealing "appalling" standards of care and at least 400 excess deathsApril 2009 - Two Department of Health reviews published, showing standards improvingJuly 2009 - Ministers announced a independent inquiry into case, but stops short of a full public inquiry as demanded by campaigners STAFFORD HOSPITAL TIMELINE November 2007 - Campaign group, Cure the NHS, set up amid concerns about careMarch 2009 - Healthcare Commission report published, revealing "appalling" standards of care and at least 400 excess deathsApril 2009 - Two Department of Health reviews published, showing standards improvingMay 2009 - The hospital says a report into the role of the chief executive, Martin Yeates, in the scandal will not be publishedJuly 2009 - Ministers announce an independent inquiry into case, but stop short of a full public inquiry as demanded by campaignersJuly 2009 - Inspectors say hospital care is safe, but they still have concerns about staffing. Warning repeated in subsequent checksOctober 2009 - The trust is given the worst grade, weak, in the annual NHS ratings system
The hospital, which is run by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, had been climbing the NHS ratings ladder during the period in question and was even given elite foundation trust status.The hospital, which is run by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, had been climbing the NHS ratings ladder during the period in question and was even given elite foundation trust status.
The Tories have said they would back a public inquiry, but ministers have so far resisted.The Tories have said they would back a public inquiry, but ministers have so far resisted.
Instead, they set up this inquiry, led by Robert Francis QC, which has been held in private and mainly focused on what happened inside the hospital.Instead, they set up this inquiry, led by Robert Francis QC, which has been held in private and mainly focused on what happened inside the hospital.
The story of what happened at Stafford hit the headlines last year when a report was published by the Healthcare Commission which said patients had been "dying needlessly".The story of what happened at Stafford hit the headlines last year when a report was published by the Healthcare Commission which said patients had been "dying needlessly".
It reported a catalogue of poor standards, including cases where unqualified receptionists assessed people as they arrived at A&E and heart monitors were turned off because nurses did not know how to use them. It reported a catalogue of shocking examples, including cases where unqualified receptionists assessed people as they arrived at A&E.
The chief executive and chairman had left just days before the findings were revealed in March. The regulator also said heart monitors were turned off because nurses did not know how to use them.
Care 'now safe' Families
And families described conditions in which some patients drank water from vases because they were so thirsty.
One senior doctor even said there was a case where a patient with a broken elbow which had pierced the skin was left bleeding and without pain relief for four hours.
The chief executive and chairman had left their jobs just days before the findings were revealed in March.
The Healthcare Commission report prompted a further two government reviews, before the independent inquiry was announced in July.The Healthcare Commission report prompted a further two government reviews, before the independent inquiry was announced in July.
Julie Bailey, founder of the victims' campaign group Cure the NHS, said the handling of the scandal had been "disgraceful and unacceptable". Julie Bailey, whose mother died at the hospital and the founder of the victims' campaign group Cure the NHS, said the handling of the scandal had been "disgraceful and unacceptable".
Julie Bailey's mother died at Stafford Hospital
"It is time that the public were told the truth about the very large number of excess deaths of patients in NHS care and the very large number of avoidable but deadly errors that occur in NHS hospitals every day," she said."It is time that the public were told the truth about the very large number of excess deaths of patients in NHS care and the very large number of avoidable but deadly errors that occur in NHS hospitals every day," she said.
Since the original report, inspectors have said care is now safe, although some problems persist over staffing and equipment. Since the original report, inspectors have been carrying out regular checks and have said care is now safe, although some problems persist over staffing and equipment.
Antony Samara, the hospital's newly-appointed chief executive, said extra staff had been taken on, patients were seeing doctors more quickly and the trust was now more "open and accountable".Antony Samara, the hospital's newly-appointed chief executive, said extra staff had been taken on, patients were seeing doctors more quickly and the trust was now more "open and accountable".