STAFFORD HOSPITAL – Questions answered by Alan Johnson

24 March 2009

At Question Time to Health Ministers today (Tuesday) in the house of Commons Stafford’s MP David Kidney was able to ask Health Secretary Alan Johnson two questions.

Full text of question time

First David Kidney asked the Health Secretary about the suspension on full pay of Stafford hospital’s Chief Executive Martin Yeates. The MP asked why, given that the Healthcare Commission’s report was so thorough and damning, the Chief Executive had not been sacked already.

The Secretary of State said that due process and natural justice had to be followed and that the hospital trust has appointed an outside investigator to carry out the disciplinary investigation necessary to enable the hospital trust to make a decision.

A number of other questions were asked by other MPs in regard of Stafford Hospital and the secretary of state was able to clarify a number of the major points.   

In a second question, Stafford’s MP was able to ask the Secretary of State for an assurance that there will be no “no go” areas in respect of the review that is about to start and is being carried out by Professor Sir George Alberti. Alan Johnson confirmed that Sir George will be able to investigate any matter that is raised about patient care in any part of the hospital.

Full text of topical questions The video clip of the question is also available through this link.

David Kidney says that the assurances were helpful:

“People are angry that Stafford’s good name has been dragged through the mud. They want those responsible to pay the full price for their failures. I agree. This is why I asked the Health Secretary to confirm that disciplinary proceedings against those responsible should be carried out as soon as possible. The Secretary of State’s answers to my questions were very helpful.”               

For further information CONTACT David Kidney on his mobile 07966 378844 or David’s offices on 020 7219 6472 or 01785 224444.

The Text of the questions and responses is given here.

NHS Chief Executives
4. Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): How many chief executives of (a) all NHS trusts and (b) foundation trusts are suspended from work.   

The Secretary of State for Health (Alan Johnson): At the current time, I am aware of one NHS trust chief executive and one NHS foundation trust chief executive who are suspended from work. Chief executives and other executive directors are employees of their trusts, and suspension is a matter for the trust, acting in accordance with individual employment contracts and general employment law.

Mr. Kidney: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his answer. In Stafford’s case, where a thorough and damning report is already available, why has the chief executive not already been sacked? If the answer to that is that there is still due process to go through, what assurance can my right hon. Friend give me that it will be brought to an end soon, so that we can stop paying taxpayers’ money—that is hospital budget money—for someone who is doing nothing?

Alan Johnson: I am sure my hon. Friend will accept that there is no point in acting in haste and then finding there is a tribunal decision against the Government. We have to have due process. I want everyone’s case to be considered properly. I am very pleased that the trust has called in Peter Garland, a former senior official and regional director in the health service, to help it with the investigation and to look not just at the chief executive, but at the responsibility of the whole board for the dreadful events that were catalogued in the Healthcare Commission report.

The Public Inquiry, And Professor Alberti's review.
T5.    [265641] Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): I called for a public inquiry into Stafford hospital. As that matter has been given a full airing already, may I ask whether the Secretary of State read the comments that I made in the House yesterday about Professor Alberti’s review? Can he confirm that there will be no no-go areas at Stafford hospital for the Alberti review?

Alan Johnson: Yes, I can. I saw my hon. Friend’s comments; obviously, I am particularly sensitive to how he, as the local MP, feels this inquiry is going. George Alberti has not only national but international renown on accident and emergency. As the Healthcare Commission report points out, accident and emergency is where the problem is in Stafford hospital. I assure my hon. Friend that there will be no no-go areas for Professor Alberti as he conducts his inquiry.