Hospital safety plea to minister

Mr Burnham said he was looking into MPs' calls for a public inquiry

Campaigners have asked the health secretary to personally ensure Stafford Hospital is safe again.

The call was made in a letter to Andy Burnham, from campaign group Cure the NHS (CTN), following a damning report.

In March the hospital trust was accused of "appalling" emergency care standards after 400 more deaths than expected were recorded between 2005 and 2008.#

Last month, the hospital outlined planned improvements in areas such as staffing levels and facilities.

However, CTN has invited Mr Burnham to meet relatives of patients who died so he can hear about the problems they had first hand.

Earlier this month, MPs tabled a motion calling for a public inquiry to be held into previous "failings" reported by the Healthcare Commission at Stafford Hospital.

Mr Burnham said he would look into the issue.

Millions of pounds has been pledged to improve patient care at the hospital.