Pay rises on hold over death rates

Large pay rises for directors have been put on hold by a health trust which is being investigated over unusually high death rates at two West Midlands hospitals.

The Healthcare Commission has announced it is investigating the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust after data showed the number of deaths was "out of normal range" – and as much as 27 per cent above the national average. The trust is responsible for both Staffordshire General Hospital, in Stafford, and Cannock Chase Hospital.

Following the news, the trust has put off a decision on awarding large pay increases to its non-executive directors, which was due to be made on Thursday.

It has also set up a helpline for concerned patients.

The trust said bringing in the increases would be inappropriate while undergoing investigation.

A review had suggested chairman Toni Brisby should see her pay for a minimum three-and-a-half days a week rise by 122 per cent from £18,000 to £40,000.

The Commission said it was particularly focusing on emergency patients admitted to Stafford General Hospital and the quality of care provided to older people, both at Stafford and at Cannock Chase Hospital.

The announcement comes just days after South Staffordshire's coroner expressed his own concerns over staffing levels and admission policies at accident and emergency.

Trust bosses have claimed the figures were due to problems in the way they were being recorded.

But the Healthcare Commission said it would investigate the issue itself after an alert system suggested a higher than normal death rate among the data.

Nigel Ellis, the Commission's head of investigations, said: "An apparently high rate of mortality does not necessarily mean there are problems with safety.

"It may be there are other factors here such as the way that information about patients is recorded."

The trust's helpline for anyone with concerns – 0800 0407060 – is open 8am to 8pm from Monday to Friday.