Stafford Hospital nurse was refused mortgage over job
A nurse at Stafford Hospital was refused a mortgage because of the uncertainty surrounding its future and potential appointment of administrators.
The nurse's predicament was revealed in an email to staff and governors by Lyn Hill-Tout, outgoing chief executive of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Mrs Hill-Tout said she wanted to quell fears by workers worried about losing their jobs in the wake of health watchdog Monitor's report earlier this month recommending the hospital loses its intensive care unit, urgent A&E surgery and maternity ward.
Staff are said to have "panicked", confusing the term administrator with the person, in legal parlance, who is appointed when a company becomes insolvent.
Health chiefs have moved quickly to give assurances and set the record straight.
Mrs Hill-Tout said: "Rumours that we cannot pay our bills or our staff are simply not true. The Department of Health agreed in early 2012 to continue to fund the trust, for another three years at least.
"We have advice and support in place for any member of staff who may encounter difficulties when applying for a mortgage."
Governors described the negative perception of Stafford Hospital as unfair and inaccurate. Lead governor Mike Fowkes said the plight of the unnamed nurse was an illustration of the damage being done by continued criticism of the hospital, most recently in the health regulator's report.
Stafford Hospital is now among the top 20 in the UK for its mortality rates while the rheumatology department at Cannock Hospital, also part of the Mid-Staffordshire trust, leads the country, according to a new national audit.
However, staff continue to feel the pressure of the trust's poor reputation.
