Fury at health chiefs' hotel meeting

Health campaigners say they are furious the Council of Governors meeting was being held at the Barns venue in Huntington this afternoon – and health chiefs have refused to reveal the cost to the taxpayer.

Cure the NHS founder Julie Bailey questioned why public money was being splashed out on the event when she believes Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust should be spending it on better care for patients.

Mrs Bailey, of Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, said: "When have they ever had a governors' meeting at the Barns? I've never heard of it before.

"What's wrong with having it at the Post Graduate Medical Centre at Stafford Hospital? That's where they usually have it."

Trust bosses refused to reveal the cost of the meeting at the Cocksparrow Lane venue after a request from the Express & Star. However, they claimed it was "not significantly higher" than the cost of using the Post Graduate Medical Centre.

In a statement, trust secretary Kate Levy said the trust was due to hold a meeting in Cannock to reflect its presence in both towns.

She said: "As Cannock Chase Hospital does not have a room large enough to accommodate all 25 governors, plus members of the public and guest speakers, we had to book an alternative venue. Before booking The Barns, we tried to find a suitable room at several other locations."

Meanwhile, the Healthcare Commission has revealed that the findings of its investigation into Stafford Hospital should be released on March 18.

The report will be made public almost 12 months to the day since the watchdog started investigating Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust over apparently high mortality rates and complaints on care, mainly at Stafford Hospital.

Cure the NHS members and local nurses, are also expected to feature in a Dispatches documentary which will be aired on March 16 at 8pm on Channel 4.