This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-23508096

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust 'should be dissolved' Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust 'should be dissolved'
(about 1 hour later)
The trust that ran the scandal-hit Stafford Hospital should be dissolved, administrators have recommended.The trust that ran the scandal-hit Stafford Hospital should be dissolved, administrators have recommended.
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust went into administration on 16 April after a report concluded it was not "clinically or financially sustainable".The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust went into administration on 16 April after a report concluded it was not "clinically or financially sustainable".
Critical care, maternity and paediatric services should also be cut, the proposals unveiled by Trust Special Administrators (TSA) say.Critical care, maternity and paediatric services should also be cut, the proposals unveiled by Trust Special Administrators (TSA) say.
The trust's two hospitals will come under two other trusts.The trust's two hospitals will come under two other trusts.
Stafford Hospital will be part of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent while Cannock Hospital will become part of the Royal Wolverhampton Trust.Stafford Hospital will be part of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent while Cannock Hospital will become part of the Royal Wolverhampton Trust.
The proposals include:The proposals include:
The proposals will now go to a public consultation, which will end on 1 October.The proposals will now go to a public consultation, which will end on 1 October.
They will then go to health regulator Monitor before going to the Health Secretary to make the final decision by the end of the year.They will then go to health regulator Monitor before going to the Health Secretary to make the final decision by the end of the year.
If approved, the proposals will be implemented by 2018.If approved, the proposals will be implemented by 2018.
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust provided healthcare for people in Stafford, Cannock, Rugeley and the surrounding areas, covering a total population of about 276,500 people.The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust provided healthcare for people in Stafford, Cannock, Rugeley and the surrounding areas, covering a total population of about 276,500 people.
In April up to 50,000 people took part in a march from Stafford's town centre to the hospital, protesting at plans to downgrade Stafford's services.In April up to 50,000 people took part in a march from Stafford's town centre to the hospital, protesting at plans to downgrade Stafford's services.
A similar number of people also signed a petition which was sent to ministers calling for the hospital not to lose any of its services.A similar number of people also signed a petition which was sent to ministers calling for the hospital not to lose any of its services.
Support Stafford Hospital campaigners have also tied hundreds of blue ribbons to lamp-posts, bollards and trees in the town to highlight their campaign.Support Stafford Hospital campaigners have also tied hundreds of blue ribbons to lamp-posts, bollards and trees in the town to highlight their campaign.
BBC health correspondent Dominic Hughes said there were cheers from the dozens of campaigners who had gathered outside the press conference when it was announced Stafford Hospital would be keeping its accident and emergency services.
Rowan Draper, from the Support Stafford Hospital campaign, said there had been some "obvious proposals" such as dissolving the trust, but it was "very disappointing" the maternity and paediatric units would be going.Rowan Draper, from the Support Stafford Hospital campaign, said there had been some "obvious proposals" such as dissolving the trust, but it was "very disappointing" the maternity and paediatric units would be going.
He said: "After the Francis Inquiry and other reports I have read, at no stage were they to do with the issues.He said: "After the Francis Inquiry and other reports I have read, at no stage were they to do with the issues.
"But now expectant mothers and babies are paying the price for bad management.""But now expectant mothers and babies are paying the price for bad management."
Stafford Hospital was the focus of a major public inquiry after it was found poor care may have led to a higher-than-expected number of deaths as a result of maltreatment and neglect.
The Francis Inquiry highlighted "appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people" under the trust's care, with some patients left lying in their own faeces for days, forced to drink water from vases and given the wrong medication.
'Safest outcomes''Safest outcomes'
Julie Bailey, who set up campaign group Cure The NHS after her mother Bella died at Stafford Hospital, said working closer with the University Hospitals of North Staffordshire would be a "good thing for Stafford Hospital and everyone who relies on it".Julie Bailey, who set up campaign group Cure The NHS after her mother Bella died at Stafford Hospital, said working closer with the University Hospitals of North Staffordshire would be a "good thing for Stafford Hospital and everyone who relies on it".
She added: "Evidence shows that specialist centres, such as the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, have the safest outcomes for patients."She added: "Evidence shows that specialist centres, such as the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, have the safest outcomes for patients."
The administrators said they did not believe other local hospitals would be able to cope with the extra pressure if Stafford's accident and emergency department was completely shut.The administrators said they did not believe other local hospitals would be able to cope with the extra pressure if Stafford's accident and emergency department was completely shut.
All existing services provided at Cannock Chase Hospital will continue with the aim of extending them where possible, the TSA said.All existing services provided at Cannock Chase Hospital will continue with the aim of extending them where possible, the TSA said.
Administrator Alan Bloom said: "We are doing this because services will become unsafe if no changes are made."Administrator Alan Bloom said: "We are doing this because services will become unsafe if no changes are made."
"We have looked to provide high quality safe services, to provide them as near to patients' homes as possible without incurring the significant financial problems that have been part of the problem to date."We have looked to provide high quality safe services, to provide them as near to patients' homes as possible without incurring the significant financial problems that have been part of the problem to date.
"We are determined not to shift the clinical or financial problems from one place to another.""We are determined not to shift the clinical or financial problems from one place to another."
Fellow administrator Dr Hugo Mascie-Taylor said: "My message [to the people of Stafford] would be to look at the whole package.Fellow administrator Dr Hugo Mascie-Taylor said: "My message [to the people of Stafford] would be to look at the whole package.
"It was not long ago that people in this town thought they were going to lose their hospital. We have brought together a package of changes that financially are far more robust.""It was not long ago that people in this town thought they were going to lose their hospital. We have brought together a package of changes that financially are far more robust."
The administrators' report said the trust "cost far too much to run compared to the income it receives".The administrators' report said the trust "cost far too much to run compared to the income it receives".
It said an overspend of £20m was predicted for 2013-14 and if "capital costs, for example, equipment is included, the funding needed will rise to £36m".It said an overspend of £20m was predicted for 2013-14 and if "capital costs, for example, equipment is included, the funding needed will rise to £36m".
Campaigners had also been fighting to stop Cannock Hospital from closing after the health trust went into administration.Campaigners had also been fighting to stop Cannock Hospital from closing after the health trust went into administration.
Cannock MP Aidan Burley said it was "good news" the hospital in his constituency had been saved.Cannock MP Aidan Burley said it was "good news" the hospital in his constituency had been saved.
The Conservative MP added: "It represents a victory for all of us who campaigned to keep it open and for it to be properly managed and more fully utilised."The Conservative MP added: "It represents a victory for all of us who campaigned to keep it open and for it to be properly managed and more fully utilised."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said they encouraged patients, staff, residents and the general public to give their views about the proposals.
He added: "We will, of course, carefully consider the recommendations when we receive them."