NHS turning blind eye to Stafford Hospital scandal says boss

The NHS is "turning a blind eye" to the events at Stafford Hospital and lessons from the scandal risk being ignored, according to the trust chairman.

Former nurse and chairman of the Mid Staffordshire Trust, Sir Stephen Moss, has said the health service is failing to listen to the lessons from the scandal. He spoke out as the public inquiry into the disaster at the hospital is due to resume next week.

Between 400 and 1,200 people may have died at the hospital as a result of poor care between 2005 and 2009.

Sir Stephen, who was appointed chairman of the hospital trust in the wake of the disaster in 2009, said he was worried about the numbers of NHS managers and chief executives who had not read the first report into the crisis by Robert Francis QC.

In June he and former Stafford chief executive Antony Sumara gave a presentation to around 120 NHS managers and executives.

Sir Stephen, aged 64, said: "We asked how many people had read the first report from Robert Francis. Only around 20 per cent of the 120 people put their hands up.

"I ask that question every time I speak and it's the same response.

"It is upsetting to me that people in the NHS are turning a blind eye. My big worry is that Mid Staffs is slipping off people's radar."