Hospital campaign plans legal bid

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said no further inquiries are necessary

Campaigners plan to seek a judicial review of the government's decision not to hold a public inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital.

The hospital was branded "appalling" by the Healthcare Commission which said people died because managers put targets ahead of patient care.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said no further inquiries are necessary.

More than 150 patients and relatives who want a public inquiry backed legal moves at a meeting on Wednesday night.

The meeting was held at the council chamber at the Staffordshire County Council headquarters in Stafford.

Mr Johnson is expected to make a statement in the Commons this week about the campaign for a new inquiry.

'Kick in teeth'

It follows reports published last week by Professor George Alberti and Dr Colin Thome which showed things were improving at the hospital but there were still problems with staffing and equipment.

More than 130 MPs have signed an online petition calling for a public inquiry and the move has also been backed by the Patients Association.

But Julie Bailey, who set up the Cure The NHS pressure group after the death of her mother at Stafford Hospital, said she was expecting Mr Johnson to refuse.

She said: "After campaigning for 15 months it's like a kick in the teeth.

"We're now out there trying to get people to sign a petition, we're still grieving and he's making us do this - it's just infuriating."

She said that campaigners were now willing to take the legal route in a bid to force the government to hold a public inquiry.

If we don't get a satisfactory answer we will be putting together the papers to apply to the High Court for a judicial review Richard Stein, solicitor

She said: "We've been taking advice and if that's the only way forward, if that's the only way we're going to get answers then so be it that's what we'll have to do."

Richard Stein, a solicitor with Leigh, Day and Co., said he had written to Mr Johnson outlining their reasons for a public inquiry.

He added: "If we don't get a satisfactory answer we will be putting together the papers to apply to the High Court for a judicial review."

He said he would expect to hear whether the application was successful in the summer and would expect a judicial review hearing to be held in the autumn.