A move to “hold to account” Stafford Hospital’s chief executive for “improvement” in patient care will see a new scrutiny group formed by borough councillors.

The proposal would see joint accountability sessions formed which would meet five times a year and ensure standards at the hospital improve.

It follows criticism at the public inquiry into Stafford Hospital this week which described the scrutiny committees at both councils as ineffective and failing to challenge the hospital.

The move – which could be seen as an attempt to pre-empt Stafford Hospital’s public inquiry – would allow a joint mechanism to be developed in order to oversee “effective scrutiny” of performance improvement.

But critics will claim there is no need for an extra body to hold hospital management to account when existing health scrutiny committees at borough and county level already exist.

The meetings – which would take place in public and could be webcast – would allow hospital users to witness for themselves the kind of accountability put in place.

The recommendations are set to go before Stafford Borough Council’s health scrutiny committee on Tuesday.

Andrew Bailey, scrutiny officer for democratic and members services, said: “There is a need for health scrutiny committees to work together to minimise duplication and overlap of health trusts being called to several health scrutiny committees to give similar explanations with differing degrees of challenge.

“The intention is to bring together evidence provided by the trust and intelligence from members from across health scrutiny committees most closely responsible for the scrutiny of Stafford Hospital.

“The purpose will be to hold to account the chief executive of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust for the delivery of improvements in patient care and performance.”

A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: “The county council and Stafford Borough Council are introducing joint accountability sessions.

“This work is being duplicated with all eight district councils in the county. We will be looking at the respective hospital trusts that serve each district.

“This arrangement is not restricted to Stafford General Hospital nor is it linked to the current inquiry.”

The second week of the public inquiry over the hospital will start at the Civic Centre on Monday.

It follows the revelation yesterday that two premature twin baby boys died on November 1 following the suspected wrong level of drugs being given to Alfie and Harry McQuillan from Stafford at the hospital. A member of staff has been suspended.