Tories back full hospital inquiry
The Conservatives have pledged that they are committed to calling for a full public inquiry into the failings at Stafford Hospital.
Speaking at his party's conference in Manchester, Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said that if the Tories won power at the next General Election then a full inquiry would be called to allow evidence on many issues to be heard in public.
Mr Lansley said: "The terms of reference of the current inquiry are, frankly, insufficient because they do not look at the impact of the tragic events at Stafford." He said the role of public policy and of central bodies, such as the strategic health authority and the Department of Health, also had to be taken into account.
Relatives of patients who died at the hospital have urged ministers to hold a public inquiry but so far the Government has rejected the calls.
Solicitors for Stafford-based campaign group Cure the NHS are now seeking a judicial review of the decision.
The independent inquiry into the poor standards of care at Stafford Hospital has taken out a series of adverts in a bid to attract members of the public to give evidence.
The inquiry team want members of the public to share their experiences of care provided at the hospital between January 2005 and March 2009.
Chairman Robert Francis QC wants to hear the views of a broad range of people and interested parties, including patients, families, the public and hospital staff, past and present, to inform his thinking and conclusions.
He said: "I encourage any member of the public with a view on the care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between January 2005 and March 2009, whether good or bad, to contact the inquiry.
"It's vital that everyone has the opportunity to give an account of their experiences. People's stories will be listened to."
People can contact the inquiry via post to Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, 7th Floor, New Kings Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9BW, by phone on 0207 633 4172 or email at info@midstaffsinquiry.com
The inquiry has also announced a series of dates on which members of the public can meet with members of the inquiry team, without appointment, to gain further information and ask questions. These sessions will be held across the region starting with the Oddfellows Hall in Stafford on October 13 from 8.30am until 6.30pm.
A session will be held at the Chase Council for Voluntary Services, on Arthur Street, Cannock on Thursday October 15 from noon until 4.30pm.
People can also attend the Avon Business & Leisure Ltd, on Avon Road, Cannock on October 22 from noon until 5pm. A session will also be at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from 10am until 2.30pm and at Stafford District Voluntary Services, on North Walls on Friday October 30 from 9.30am until 4pm.
