A secret report into the conduct of former Stafford Hospital boss Martin Yeates found that he should have been disciplined, it can be revealed today.

The Garland report into the conduct of Mr Yeates, the head of the hospital at the time hundreds of patients died as a result of poor care, was  released in part to the Express & Star in October last year.

But today Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust have released the full version of the report, which cost taxpayers £17,500.

The previously secret conclusions of the report, written by former civil servant Peter Garland, make clear the hospital trust should have taken disciplinary action against Mr Yeates.

The report concludes: “The chief executive had a pre-eminent role in the leadership of the trust as his job description made clear and must bear a commensurately large share of the responsibility for these failures in leadership and management.

“The chief executive must carry responsibility for the failing in systems and processes.”

The report added: “This analysis suggests that a prima facie case for instigating disciplinary proceedings can be made.”

Instead of taking action against Mr Yeates he was allowed to negotiate a deal with the hospital which saw him resign with £80,000 six-month notice pay and a rumoured £360,000 payout from his NHS pension.

The hospital’s remuneration committee, which included the current chairman Sir Stephen Moss, agreed the deal in order to avoid the potential for a legal battle.

Mr Yeates, formerly director of care  services for Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust,  has never spoken about his role at the hospital and was said to be too ill to give evidence at the independent inquiry commissioned by Robert Francis QC last year.

It is unlikely he will give evidence at the forthcoming public inquiry which should begin in October.