Demand for 'full' hospital inquiry

Campaigner Julie Bailey has urged that hearings into the Stafford Hospital scandal should be turned into a full inquiry.

The founder of Cure the NHS, which has members from across the South Staffordshire area, gave evidence all day yesterday at the inquiry being held at Rutherford Court, at Staffordshire Technology Park, on Beaconside, in Stafford.

She spoke about her own experience of Stafford Hospital and talked about her mother Bella who died at the hospital two years ago.

She also spoke about the wider Cure The NHS campaign and the battle the group has faced trying to gain justice for the many people affected by the hospital's poor standard of care.

Mrs Bailey said she urged inquiry chairman Robert Francis to use his powers of the Inquiries Act 2005 to turn it into a full public inquiry. She wants hospital staff including Martin Yeates the former chief executive of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust to be compelled to give evidence.

Patients are set to give evidence at the inquiry for three weeks before staff at the hospital have a chance to give evidence.

Mrs Bailey added: "It is part of the truth and reconciliation process. There are staff who know what has gone on and still don't want to come forward but I beg them to think again and do what is right."