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Council offers bug hospitals £5m Bug trust chairman leaves his job
(30 minutes later)
Kent County Council (KCC) has offered NHS bosses a £5m loan to help restore public confidence in hospitals where clostridium difficile caused 90 deaths. The chairman of the crisis-ridden Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, James Lee, has offered his resignation, which has been accepted.
The offer was made to managers of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust at a crisis meeting. The announcement was made by Health Secretary Alan Johnson in the Commons.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has been ordered to appear in the House of Commons to update MPs on the scandal. He said last week's Healthcare Commission report into the clostridium difficile outbreak at the trust was "a truly shocking document".
Kent Air Ambulance said it had now resumed flights to Maidstone Hospital after personal assurances it was safe. Mr Johnson went on to apologise to those affected on behalf of the government and the NHS.
The Healthcare Commission said in a report last week that a "litany" of errors in infection control was the main cause of death for 90 patients at Maidstone, the Kent and Sussex and Pembury hospitals. Earlier, Kent County Council (KCC) offered NHS bosses a £5m loan to help restore public confidence in hospitals where the outbreak caused 90 deaths.
I believe the National Health Service, to a degree, has lost its dignity and humanity Paul Carter, leader Kent County CouncilI believe the National Health Service, to a degree, has lost its dignity and humanity Paul Carter, leader Kent County Council
The offer was made to managers of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust at a crisis meeting on Monday.
Kent Air Ambulance said it had now resumed flights to Maidstone Hospital after personal assurances it was safe.
The Healthcare Commission said in its report that a "litany" of errors in infection control was the main cause of death for 90 patients at Maidstone, the Kent and Sussex and Pembury hospitals.
It was definitely a contributing factor in the deaths of a further 124, and a probable factor in another 55.It was definitely a contributing factor in the deaths of a further 124, and a probable factor in another 55.
Interim chief executive of the NHS trust, Glenn Douglas, attended the meeting at County Hall with Steve Phoenix, chief executive of the West Kent Primary Care Trust, which was also criticised.Interim chief executive of the NHS trust, Glenn Douglas, attended the meeting at County Hall with Steve Phoenix, chief executive of the West Kent Primary Care Trust, which was also criticised.
Leader of KCC, Paul Carter, told them: "I genuinely believe the National Health Service, to a degree, has lost its dignity and humanity."Leader of KCC, Paul Carter, told them: "I genuinely believe the National Health Service, to a degree, has lost its dignity and humanity."
Commodes were not properly cleaned after use
He said the £5m loan would be available to the health trust over the next two to three years.He said the £5m loan would be available to the health trust over the next two to three years.
He also offered KCC managers to the NHS on secondment and county councillors to sit on a new board of directors.He also offered KCC managers to the NHS on secondment and county councillors to sit on a new board of directors.
The council also wants to set up an independent hot line for patients to contact with complaints.The council also wants to set up an independent hot line for patients to contact with complaints.
Commodes were not properly cleaned after use
The two health managers apologised for poor patient care at the trust and welcomed offers of help from KCC.The two health managers apologised for poor patient care at the trust and welcomed offers of help from KCC.
Mr Phoenix said there had been significant improvements in the last 12 months.Mr Phoenix said there had been significant improvements in the last 12 months.
Mr Douglas promised "zero tolerance" of C. difficile in the future.Mr Douglas promised "zero tolerance" of C. difficile in the future.
'Deep concern'
He admitted in an interview with BBC South East Today that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust still had vacancies for cleaners.He admitted in an interview with BBC South East Today that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust still had vacancies for cleaners.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Carter had called for the resignations of the chair and entire board of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.Ahead of the meeting, Mr Carter had called for the resignations of the chair and entire board of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
Kent Air Ambulance Trust boycotted Maidstone Hospital on the day of the Health Commission report, saying it was "deeply concerned".Kent Air Ambulance Trust boycotted Maidstone Hospital on the day of the Health Commission report, saying it was "deeply concerned".
Now it says it has received a personal assurance from Candy Morris, chief executive of South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, that it was safe to take patients to Maidstone. On Monday it said it had received a personal assurance from Candy Morris, chief executive of South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, that it was safe to take patients to Maidstone.
The Kent and Sussex and Pembury hospitals do not have helipads.The Kent and Sussex and Pembury hospitals do not have helipads.
In the Commons, speaker Michael Martin granted a Conservative request for Mr Johnson to appear in person after he said he would release a written statement on the events.
Four MPs from West Kent are due to meet Mr Johnson on Wednesday.Four MPs from West Kent are due to meet Mr Johnson on Wednesday.