Stafford Hospital inquiry into 'appalling' care findings out today
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 12:00 AM
By Emmeline Saunders
A hospital which provided "appalling" levels of care for its patients has heard the findings of an official inquiry into complaints made by families and campaigners.
Patients at Stafford Hospital were left for days without food, water or pain relief, and some were told to lie in their own filth, according to an earlier report by the Healthcare Commission.
Today's inquiry said the distress caused was "unimaginable".
During prime ministers question time today, Tory leader demanded an open public inquiry to compliment today's private one, led by Robert Francis QC.
In a statement to the Commons health secretary Andy Burnham said: "This was ultimately a local failure, but it is vital that we learn the lessons nationally to ensure that it won't happen again - we expect everyone in the NHS to read the report and act on it."
The hospital, which is run by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, was made the subject of the independent inquiry after the health watchdog reported at least 400 more people had died there between 2005 and 2008 than should be expected. It warned some were "dying needlessly".
Reports emerged of unqualified receptionists assessing patients as they arrived at A&E and heart monitors being turned off because nurses did not know how to use them.
Some patients were said to have resorted to drinking out of vases because they were so dehydrated.
"This damning report confirms the appalling neglect of patients at Mid-Staffordshire hospital," said Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb.
"This report makes clear that the government's obsession with targets was responsible for the neglect of patient safety at Mid-Staffordshire.
"It's a disgrace that patients were subjected to these horrendous conditions in an NHS hospital."
The commission's report sparked two government reviews before the setting up of the independent inquiry, which some campaigners have dubbed a whitewash.
The inquiry was held in private and focused mainly on what happened inside the hospital.
Campaigners have called for a full public inquiry into how the scandal could have come about, including the wider role of the NHS in the matter.
Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said the situation must never be repeated. She called for the NHS to address inadequate staff numbers so patients receive the care they need.
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