Burnham Called To Provide Evidence In Relation To Trust

The involvement of former health secretary Andy Burnham in the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is a welcome sign that answers will be provided over care problems between 2005 and 2009, according to an expert at Irwin Mitchell.

Mr Burnham is giving evidence as part of the public inquiry into standards of care at the home, after a previous investigation highlighted a series of failings and cases of neglect at Stafford Hospital in particular.

The latest inquiry is particularly focusing on why the concerning standards were not tackled at an earlier opportunity, as well as concerns that staff focused on meeting targets rather than caring for patients.

Commenting on the investigation, Lisa Jordan, a Partner and clinical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, said:

“It is welcome news that Mr Burnham has been called to face the inquiry in relation to the standards of care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, as it highlights just how seriously authorities are taking the investigation into the organisation.

“Over years we have heard a number of stories and been called on to help victims of the failures made by the Trust and it is shocking that these problems of neglect have been attributed to a focus on meeting cost-cutting targets rather than ensuring safety.

“We have repeatedly called for the Trust to provide evidence of the improvements made since these problems were identified and hope that this latest inquiry will provide the answers that many families will undoubtedly be demanding.

“All patients of the NHS should have access to the best possible standards of care and treatment, so we hope that lessons can be learnt from why this was not the case at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and how the same terrible mistakes will be avoided in the future.”