Former trust boss may face action

The hospital has since employed more than 100 extra nurses

The former chief executive of a hospital trust accused of "appalling" emergency care standards could face disciplinary action.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has asked to see a copy of the investigation into the former boss of Stafford Hospital Martin Yates.

Mr Yates resigned from the trust in March without facing any action.

On Monday, a Commons motion calling for a public inquiry into failings at the trust was rejected.

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said an inquiry was "not appropriate".

'Terrible events'

During the debate on a Conservative motion to hold the inquiry Mr Bradshaw said it was not appropriate as the Healthcare Commission had already carried out a full investigation.

"The government remains unconvinced that a public inquiry would add anything to our understanding of what went wrong and what needs to be done to prevent these terrible events happening again," he said.

He revealed Mr Johnson had written to Monitor, the regulator of foundation trusts, asking to see the copy of the investigation into Mr Yates.

He said he found it hard to understand why the decision not to go through a disciplinary process was made.

'Further action'

"If, after seeing that report and hearing the explanation we still have concerns, we will consider what further action needs to be taken," he said.

Between 2005 and 2008, 400 more deaths were recorded than expected at Stafford Hospital.

The Healthcare Commission report identified "appalling failings" which included receptionists carrying out initial patient checks.

Mr Yates stepped down as chief executive and was suspended pending an investigation.

His resignation was later accepted.