Burnham under fire on hospital inquiry

A damning Healthcare Commission report published in March revealed that between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust over a three year period.

The inquiry announced by Mr Burnham on a visit to Stafford Hospital on Tuesday is not the full, public inquiry demanded by health campaigners, and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has now said it does not go far enough.

Unlike a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, the investigation set to take place at the trust will not initially have the power to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence.

Mr Lansley said: "This independent inquiry could play a part in renewing public confidence, but not to the same extent as a public inquiry."

His concerns were echoed by Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, who said Mr Burnham's proposals "leave much to be desired".

"A half-baked inquiry into individual cases misses the point," he said.

"A new inquiry must look into the impact of targets on care quality. By preventing a fresh inquiry from examining these issues, the Government is failing to see the bigger picture."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "On Tuesday, we announced a further, independent, inquiry chaired by Robert Francis QC to hear evidence from patients and families - building on the reports to date and the Independent Clinical Reviews under way - and identify lessons for the future.

"A full public inquiry may delay implementation of the steps identified as necessary and appropriate in response to the three reports already published. Those measures should be implemented as soon as possible."

Tuesday's announcement is set to be discussed at a meeting of Staffordshire County Council today.

Councillors are expected to call on Mr Burnham to make the new inquiry entirely public, rather than simply independent.