Minister pledge over care scandal
Local government secretary Hazel Blears has promised to relay the strength of feeling about the Stafford Hospital scandal to health secretary Alan Johnson after experiencing it first hand.
But she remains unconvinced the public inquiry being called for by campaigners is the best course of action.
Mrs Blears was a panellist on the 'Any Questions?' show.
It was recorded live at Stafford Gatehouse theatre for BBC Radio 4.
Speaking after the show Mrs Blears said: "The strength of feeling in the community is obvious.
"People are traumatised, shocked and angry. Obviously, when around 400 people died and that could have been prevented, in a community of this size, everybody will know somebody affected.
"I will talk to Alan. He is keen to put in place something that will result in action being taken quickly.
"The George Alberti and David Colin-Thome reviews and probes into the roles of the Primary Care Trust and Strategic Health Authority, are all parts of the system.
"Surely the priority must be to ensure this doesn't happen again and that changes are made quickly.
"George Alberti and David Colin-Thome are happy to meet anyone involved and Alan Johnson has also met with the families. We will do our best for them."
Save the NHS campaign leader Julie Bailey had vowed to never give up until a public inquiry is held into the "appalling care standards" at Stafford Hospital.
Miss Bailey's mum Bella died at the hospital at the age of 86 in November 2007.
The 47-year-old Stafford cafe owner attended the live radio broadcast and was angered by Mrs Blears' comments.
She said: "Hazel Blears says she is a campaigner herself. She needs to go back to Alan Johnson and tell him this community will not accept that.
"She saw tonight how strong the feeling was."
