DAVID KIDNEY MP RESPONDS TO THE ROBERT FRANCIS REPORT

24 February 2010“

Watch video of Parliamentary statement by Andy Burhnam  

The Robert Francis report discloses the full extent of the failings at Stafford hospital. It spares no detail. It names the senior managers responsible for this totally unacceptable state of affairs. A controlling culture within the hospital trust kept these dark facts hidden.

“We rely on the NHS above all for care and compassion. Some people involved in running Stafford hospital lost sight of these values. This hard-hitting report gives us a better understanding of how and why. Now we must take action to root out all bad practice, restore care and compassion as the hospital’s guiding principles and work for the highest possible healthcare standards.

“We learned of unacceptable care standards in last year’s reports and extensive media coverage. This Inquiry heard new voices as well, and more horror stories can only increase our profound feelings of sympathy for and solidarity with the families affected.

“Staff gave evidence, too. In some wards, organisation was weak, staffing levels were too low and the levels of expertise were insufficient. The controlling culture deterred staff members from raising concerns. Whilst I will be relentless in making sure those responsible are brought to account, I recognise the efforts of the decent, hard-working staff who should not be tarred by the unacceptable actions of those responsible for these terrible events.

“The complaints system was used to hide problems, not resolve them. Of course humans can make mistakes but in a hospital learning from complaints matters because hospitals are places of life and death. Whenever a death occurs that could have been averted it is a tragedy for the family concerned.

“There are recommendations to the Health Secretary and I have already spoken to Andy Burnham and strongly backed the Inquiry’s call for further investigations, especially regarding the roles of the regulators.

“For our hospital, it is critical that in future it is much more open and accepting of the views of patients, their relatives and carers, its staff and the public. It is essential that the hospital admits when something has gone wrong, puts it right, learns from the experience and works for constant improvement. Our community will, I am sure, want to help heal the hurt, rebuild public trust and make the hospital one of the best of its kind.”

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The Care Commission response to the Robert Francis report  

The Politics show. David confirms that there will be a public Inquiry into the regulatory systems. (the coverage of Stafford begins roughly half way through this programme - use the slider)

BBC Time line