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Hospital safety reports 'ignored' Hospital safety reports 'ignored'
(about 8 hours later)
Nurses at a hospital criticised for "appalling failings" believed incident report forms about patient safety were being ignored, MPs have been told Nurses at a hospital criticised for "appalling failings" believed incident report forms about patient safety were being ignored, MPs have been told.
The Healthcare Commission found poor emergency care at Stafford Hospital meant patients died needlessly.The Healthcare Commission found poor emergency care at Stafford Hospital meant patients died needlessly.
Howard Catton, of the Royal College of Nursing, told the Commons Health Select Committee 200 forms were not followed up in one six-month period in 2007.Howard Catton, of the Royal College of Nursing, told the Commons Health Select Committee 200 forms were not followed up in one six-month period in 2007.
He said he believed the hospital board also did not address staffing levels.He said he believed the hospital board also did not address staffing levels.
Staff shortagesStaff shortages
The government has rejected calls for an independent inquiry after the Healthcare Commission's report.The government has rejected calls for an independent inquiry after the Healthcare Commission's report.
Mr Catton said nurses at the hospital had told the RCN "they felt those incident forms were going into a black hole or into a waste paper basket".Mr Catton said nurses at the hospital had told the RCN "they felt those incident forms were going into a black hole or into a waste paper basket".
"Between 2003 and 8 there was virtually a year-on-year reduction in the number of nursing staff at somewhere in the region of 200 wholetime equivalents which equates to around about 300... people."Between 2003 and 8 there was virtually a year-on-year reduction in the number of nursing staff at somewhere in the region of 200 wholetime equivalents which equates to around about 300... people.
"In terms of accident and emergency they took out 17 staff."In terms of accident and emergency they took out 17 staff.
"It is incredible that the board did not undertake some sort of impact assessment about what the implications would be of taking out that number of nursing staff.""It is incredible that the board did not undertake some sort of impact assessment about what the implications would be of taking out that number of nursing staff."
Dr Howard Stoate, Labour MP for Dartford, read out a letter from a doctor at the hospital alleging that a critical diagnosis of possible pancreatic cancer was not passed on to doctors due to a lack of secretarial staff.Dr Howard Stoate, Labour MP for Dartford, read out a letter from a doctor at the hospital alleging that a critical diagnosis of possible pancreatic cancer was not passed on to doctors due to a lack of secretarial staff.
The committee hearing continues.The committee hearing continues.
One campaigner, Julie Bailey, told the BBC: "This is elderly and vulnerable people we're talking about that we've lost from this community.
"We need a full independent public inquiry to get people on oath to give evidence to say what happened and why it happened and is it happening in other places?"