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Bug-hospital pay-off 'unlawful' Bug-hospital pay-off 'unlawful'
(31 minutes later)
The former chief executive of the NHS trust at the centre of a superbug scandal in which 90 patients died will not get any of her severance pay. The former chief executive of the NHS trust at the centre of a superbug scandal in which 90 patients died will not receive any severance pay.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust may have acted unlawfully in agreeing the cash package for Rose Gibb.Health Secretary Alan Johnson said Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust may have acted unlawfully in agreeing the cash package for Rose Gibb.
Ms Gibb resigned days before the Healthcare Commission criticised the trust over clostridium difficile.Ms Gibb resigned days before the Healthcare Commission criticised the trust over clostridium difficile.
Mr Johnson said the correct process had not been followed. Mr Johnson said legal advice showed the correct process had not been followed.
He said: "The trust, under the leadership of the new chairman, has decided it will not, at this time, be paying any of the severance package originally agreed."He said: "The trust, under the leadership of the new chairman, has decided it will not, at this time, be paying any of the severance package originally agreed."
'Failed completely 'Failed completely'
The trust has never confirmed the amount of the package.
Mr Johnson made the announcement on a visit to Maidstone Hospital on Thursday, where he met staff and patients.Mr Johnson made the announcement on a visit to Maidstone Hospital on Thursday, where he met staff and patients.
He said leadership of the trust had "failed completely".He said leadership of the trust had "failed completely".
Maidstone was one of three hospitals where patients died following two outbreaks of C.diff. Maidstone was one of three hospitals where patients died following two outbreaks of C-diff.
Relatives of C.diff victims marched to Downing Street
Mr Johnson said the hospitals - Maidstone, Pembury and the Kent and Sussex at Tunbridge Wells - would be among the first in England to be deep cleaned and would get an extra £350,000 to pay for the work.Mr Johnson said the hospitals - Maidstone, Pembury and the Kent and Sussex at Tunbridge Wells - would be among the first in England to be deep cleaned and would get an extra £350,000 to pay for the work.
He also named the preferred bidder appointed to build a new £228m Pembury Hospital, starting in the New Year.He also named the preferred bidder appointed to build a new £228m Pembury Hospital, starting in the New Year.
The new hospital, which is expected to be completed by 2010, will replace Pembury and the Kent and Sussex. The hospital, expected to be completed by 2010, will replace Pembury and the Kent and Sussex.
"The new hospital at Pembury is a hugely significant development," said Mr Johnson."The new hospital at Pembury is a hugely significant development," said Mr Johnson.
"With a new leadership team in place the trust can now look to the future.""With a new leadership team in place the trust can now look to the future."
Mr Johnson's visit coincided with a march through London to Downing Street by about 50 friends and relatives of people who died.
They carried a banner with the names and faces of 80 of the C-diff victims.
The trust also revealed on Thursday that the former director of nursing, Bernard Place, had handed in his notice.