MP writes to police over Stafford Hospital

The Francis reports said managers were preoccupied with cost-cutting

Police have been asked to investigate whether a damning report into a hospital trust could be a base for a criminal prosecution.

Last year, it was revealed there were more than 400 deaths than would be expected at Stafford Hospital between 2005 to 2008.

An independent inquiry report, published last month, also revealed details of patients being neglected.

Stafford MP David Kidney said he had written to police over the matter.

He said members of Cure the NHS, a group of people whose relatives died at the hospital, picketed his surgery last week asking for his support for a public inquiry into the matter.

'Patients neglected'

They wanted to know why no-one had been held to account for what went wrong at the hospital, he added.

The Labour MP said he had since written to Health Secretary Andy Burnham to make clear his support that a wider inquiry into the matter, recommended by Robert Francis QC, chairman of the latest inquiry, should be set up.

He said he had also written to Staffordshire Police about whether the Francis report had evidence on which to base a criminal prosecution for corporate manslaughter.

Staffordshire Police said they had received the letter and would consider the issues raised.

"We have been monitoring the situation closely, and have also had ongoing liaison with HM Coroner," a statement said.

Mr Francis's report concluded that patients were routinely neglected at the hospital after managers became preoccupied with cost-cutting and targets.

Care 'now safe'

Eighteen recommendations were made for both the trust and the government in his final report.

Following publication, the government said Mr Francis would now be allowed to look into the regulation and monitoring issues.

Last year, the Law Society said it was possible that criminal charges could be brought against the hospital or individuals, but also said it would be very complicated and would "take a lot of unravelling".

Since the original Healthcare Commission report, inspectors have been carrying out regular checks and have said care is now safe, although some problems persist over staffing and equipment.

The chief executive and chairman in charge during the period in question have been replaced and the General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council are investigating some staff involved.