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Stafford Hospital NHS trust: Hunt to decide over closure Stafford Hospital: Hunt to decide whether to dissolve NHS Trust
(about 2 hours later)
The health secretary will announce later whether he is accepting a recommendation to close the trust that runs Stafford Hospital. Managers at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital are waiting to hear whether Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will dissolve the trust that runs it.
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was the focus of one of the NHS's biggest scandals when hundreds more people died than would be expected. Administrators want Mr Hunt to scrap the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust and move services to other hospitals.
Administrators want Jeremy Hunt to dissolve the trust and move key services to neighbouring hospitals.
Local people are planning a legal challenge if that decision is taken.Local people are planning a legal challenge if that decision is taken.
Last year's Francis Inquiry highlighted "appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people" under the trust's care, with some patients left lying in their own faeces for days, forced to drink water from vases and given the wrong medication. The trust was criticised last year by a public inquiry for the "suffering of hundreds of people" under its care. It has been in administration since April.
The trust, which has been in administration since last April, has been declared financially and clinically unsustainable. The inquiry, led by Robert Francis QC, revealed some patients were left lying in their own faeces for days and given the wrong medication.
A report for health watchdog Monitor found it would not be able to make up its deficit because it did not provide enough specialised services. The report published after the inquiry made 290 recommendations aimed at tackling the wider cultural problems in the NHS.
It also said that, as a result, the trust would lose staff, which in turn would affect patient safety. In January, Monitor approved plans laid out by Trust Special Administrators (TSA) a month earlier to abolish Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. It would be the first foundation trust to be broken up.
In January, Monitor approved plans laid out by Trust Special Administrators (TSA) a month earlier to abolish the trust. It would be the first foundation trust to be broken up.
Under the proposals, control of Stafford Hospital would go to the neighbouring University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust (UHNS) while Cannock Hospital would be run by the Royal Wolverhampton Trust.Under the proposals, control of Stafford Hospital would go to the neighbouring University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust (UHNS) while Cannock Hospital would be run by the Royal Wolverhampton Trust.
Services, including maternity, paediatric and critical care units at Stafford, would be downgraded.Services, including maternity, paediatric and critical care units at Stafford, would be downgraded.
The TSA has previously said it would take three years, from the secretary of state's agreement, to implement proposed changes at a total cost of £220m. The TSA has previously said it would take three years, from the secretary of state's agreement, to implement proposed changes - at a total cost of £220m.
'Exacerbate problems' The Support Stafford Hospital group said it was planning to take legal action if the decision was taken to axe the trust.
The Support Stafford Hospital group has said it will be "bitterly disappointed" if the decision is taken to axe the trust. It comes after the High Court overturned the health secretary's decision to downgrade Lewisham Healthcare Trust's emergency department in July.
"We know that surrounding trusts are struggling be it financially and/or with capacity," it said in a blog post on Monday. "We know that surrounding trusts are struggling be it financially and/or with capacity," the group said in a blog post on Monday.
"These problems have to be addressed. "These problems have to be addressed. To send more patients to these trusts will only exacerbate problems for both our community and theirs."
"To send more patients to these trusts will only exacerbate problems for both our community and theirs."
The government has made clear there will be a full parliamentary debate over the hospital "in due course".The government has made clear there will be a full parliamentary debate over the hospital "in due course".
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Stafford' in the subject heading and including your contact details.Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Stafford' in the subject heading and including your contact details.