Police probe on Stafford Hospital
Police were today preparing a criminal investigation into the scandal of care at Stafford Hospital – as pressure intensified for the head of the NHS Sir David Nicholson to resign.
Senior figures from Staffordshire Police met the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of the inquiry findings of Robert Francis.
It also emerged today that the Health and Safety Executive was ready to relaunch its own investigation into the death of a patient who died at the hospital in 2007.
The probe into the death of 66-year-old diabetic Gillian Astbury, of Mavis Road, Hednesford, was suspended when the Stafford Hospital Inquiry was set up, but it is now likely to be relaunched. An inquest found she had died after slipping into a coma because she had not been given insulin injections. "S ystematic failures" by managers and staff were blamed.
Staffordshire Assistant Chief Constable Nick Baker held talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after studying the Francis report.
He said: "This is a very substantial report which we will link into what is already known to see if there are any additional investigative enquiries that are required."
This came as two MPs called for Sir David Nicholson to resign or be axed. Chris Skidmore and Sarah Wollaston, from the health select committee, said he should consider his position.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt added it was "absolutely outrageous" nobody had been brought to book. Police could potentially bring manslaughter charges against those responsible for neglect at Stafford Hospital.
