Hospital will have inquiry

Health Secretary Andy Burnham caved in to the pressure from campaigners and announced the creation of an inquiry during a visit to Stafford Hospital.

It will be chaired by senior lawyer Robert Francis QC who will hear evidence from patients, families and both serving and ex-hospital staff.

But the inquiry falls short of a full public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 and will not initially be able to compel witnesses to attend.

Parts of the hearings will also be heard in private, sparking anger from campaign group Cure the NHS and patient families.

Mr Burnham said today that he would be prepared to convert the inquiry into a full public inquiry, but some witnesses would not need to give evidence if they were deemed not "competent enough."

The inquiry will examine what went wrong at the hospital – where hundreds of patients are believed to have died needlessly over a three-year period – and also look to learn lessons for the future. It is expected to start work in the autumn after the end of the independent case note review currently being carried out at the hospital.

Mr Burnham said: "Relevant staff at the trust, including former managers, will be asked to give evidence to the inquiry and we expect both current and former NHS staff to co-operate.

"This new independent inquiry will give patients and their families the opportunity to present their evidence and ensure that any other lessons are learned without unduly distracting the new management and staff at the hospital from improving services for patients today."

Campaign group Cure the NHS said solicitors were examining the details but the group would except nothing less than a full public inquiry.

Stafford MP David Kidney said the Government would need to explain why it had fallen short of calling a full public inquiry, adding he had "mixed views" over the announcement.

He said: "This inquiry will see all the right people, it will report quickly and Cure the NHS will be able to be there throughout the proceedings even if the media and public are not."

Mr Kidney did raise concerns over the fact witnesses may be excused if they were not "competent enough".

Commenting on the former chief executive Martin Yeates, who stepped down days before the damning Healthcare Commission report in March that revealed the extent of the hospital's failings, Mr Kidney said: "Of course he should give evidence – he is the most crucial witness."

Stone MP Bill Cash, who has himself called for a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act, described the news as a "significant step forward", adding: "What's essential is that the tragedy is properly looked into and lessons learned both for the hospital itself and justice for the patients, the victims and the bereaved, and the National Health Service as a whole."

Mr Cash said he would be examining the terms of reference for the inquiry, saying: "I'll be concentrating on the fact that we get something that is not second rate."

Cannock Chase MP Tony Wright said: "The type of inquiry that is being proposed is the type that I have been calling for and I am pleased this is happening."