Inquiry Criticises Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust

24 Feb 2010

An independent inquiry has found that Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust placed too much focus on cost-cutting and targets to the detriment of patient care.

The Trust, which manages Stafford Hospital, has been at the centre of a number of critical reviews.

The inquiry was commissioned after the Healthcare Commission found that in the period 2005 – 2008 between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected.

The report reveals that patients were left in dirty sheets, with relatives even taking sheets home to be washed. Patients also suffered falls and were not given appropriate food or helped with eating.

It was also suggested that there were not enough staff as the Trust was trying to save £10m.

The inquiry recommended that ministers consider a review into why it took so long for regulatory authorities to spot the problems.

Campaigners have demanded a public inquiry, which the Conservative Party has said it would back.

The new chairman of the Trust has apologised for the harm caused and spoken of changes that have led to improved standards. Inspectors say that the Trust is now providing safe care however there are still concerns over staffing and equipment.

Tim Deeming, a medical negligence solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The report raises deep and ongoing concerns about patient safety.  Lessons must be learnt by the Trust and the NHS to ensure that such systemic failures are prevented, so that patients are not placed at risk. Wider issues still need to be reviewed both at a local and national level to ensure that there is a consistent approach in ensuring cultural change due to the damning conclusions.”

We have acted for a number of people affected by issues at Stafford Hospital, including the case of a man who died after being admitted following a minor road traffic accident.

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