Stafford Hospital report set to demand reforms

Chairman of the inquiry, Robert Francis QC, is set to deliver a damning verdict on the health service, demanding an overhaul of regulation to ensure poor managers are weeded out and calling for better training for nurses and healthcare assistants, following the unnecessary deaths of up to 1,200 people at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2008.

The report, which is due out this month, is also expected to warn that the scandal demonstrated systemic failings in NHS regulation, meaning that similar standards of care could be experienced in other hospitals, without being uncovered.

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy said the assumptions made over the report's findings were only logical given the evidence put before the inquiry.

He said: "Anything at the moment is just speculation, as the report is being very strictly monitored.

"Statements that have been made, however, are blindingly obvious. I would be very surprised if Mr Francis didn't call for such reforms.

"I think full regulation of healthcare professionals certainly needs to be looked at. The fact people can be suspended on full pay for months, even years, without their cases being looked at needs to change.

"I would like to see clearer procedures for cases like this and not for the trust and professionals to be left in limbo for months, if not years, on end.

"The emphasis should absolutely be on patient safety and a culture of care should be made part of the DNA of the NHS.

"Most healthcare professionals are extremely competent and caring, but that doesn't seem to be the way things are across the whole of the NHS. Patients' care should be put first.