Jeremy has joined the Patients Association, Cure the NHS and Bill Cash MP in the Sunday Telegraph’s call for an independent public enquiry into the failings in Staffordshire and the way hospitals are supervised nationwide.

“I agree that we need a public enquiry. The reviews announced by the Health Secretary do not go far enough.

“For instance, they do not address the clear problems this case has raised with the accountability of independent public trusts. I believe that these problems may well be systemic rather than just specific to Stafford. This will only come out if the enquiry is much broader.

“The way in which the elderly and vulnerable are cared for in hospital has also been highlighted in many of the cases brought to the Healthcare Commission’s attention. With an ageing population across the country, it cannot be a matter of concern to Stafford alone. An independent enquiry would be the best way to draw on the lessons learned for the benefit of the NHS nationally.

“There is no need to delay the reviews announced by Mr Johnson if the principle of a public enquiry is accepted. They can go ahead and feed into the enquiry, together with the considerable amount of work already done by the Healthcare Commission.

“As for the cost of the public enquiry, if it comes up with recommendations for the entire NHS to the problems of governance and care, it will be money well spent.”

Details of the Heal our Hospitals campaign can be found here
www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5029628/Heal-our-Hospitals.html