Stafford Hospital boss in vow on A&E unit

The boss of Stafford Hospital today said she would leave "no stone unturned" until its A&E department reopened overnight.

Lyn Hill-Tout revealed it had been the most challenging year of her life since taking over Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

In regards to the October reopening of A&E, Mrs Hill-Tout said: "I'm optimistic. But as I've said before there's no 100 per cent certainty. We won't have left any stone unturned.

"We are aware there will still be staff who leave at various points and we have got to make it sustainable for the long term."

It also emerged doctors and nurses working in the department were instrumental in the decision not to reopen the unit overnight.

Clinicians told chiefs they were worried they could not yet guarantee patient safety and needed more time for new staff to settle in.

The department had been due to reopen round the clock this month but will now remain closed between 10pm and 8am.

Mrs Hill-Tout said: "The clinicians told us they were concerned about reopening overnight. After we came to the decision to delay until October we explained that to the community. Previously clinicians weren't being listened to and we feel this is a step forward."

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