The report into Stafford Hospital by Robert Francis QC has reflected concerns raised by Staffordshire County Council’s administration.
Matthew Ellis, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:
“Robert Francis has today delivered an in-depth and robust report into failings at the hospital. The report, for the first time, nails the reasons for these failings. We must however never lose sight of the fact that people lost loved ones which is a very personal tragedy.“I met with Robert Francis before he started his inquiry and made clear my views on the failings that resulted in this terrible tragedy. This was a lethal combination of failings in both national and local regulation. In short a lot of organisations looked at Stafford Hospital but nobody saw what was happening. I am pleased that Mr Francis has reflected these views in his findings and recommendations.
“After taking office back in June, we took steps to strengthen the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in Staffordshire. This included taking back responsibility and relaunching the failing Local Involvement Network ““ Staffordshire LINKs. This gives local people a stronger voice in how health and social care services are delivered. I have also appointed a new independent chair of the safeguarding board who reports directly to me.
“Taking account of today’s report, I now urge the Staffordshire Health Scrutiny Committee to strengthen their role in ensuring a tragedy of this scale can never happen again.”
