Basildon: Lawyers To Meet Families Over Hospital

Lawyers who represented families affected by poor care at Stafford Hospital will meet people unhappy about care at Basildon Hospital later.

It is one of 14 being investigation because of high death rates - a group which also includes Colchester Hospital. 

Solicitors from law firms Leigh Day and Fischer Field Waterhouse will be holding drop-in sessions at the Pitsea Leisure Centre between 1pm and 4pm and then between 6pm and 9pm today. 

The firms say they are there to "offer advise" for people who feel that have "been treated unfairly" or whose compaint "has been unanswered", with a view to possible legal action against the hospital. 

Chief Executive of Basildon Hospital, Clare Panniker, told Heart they are just concentrating on improving: "It's never comfortable and of course I'd much prefer it wasn't the situation, but we will work with it. 

"Our first and primary responsibility is to look after our patients but also to look after our staff." She also called for anyone with an issue to contact the hospital rather than a solicitor: "Come and make contact with the hospital. 

"Give us the opportunity to investigate your concern, to try and understand what's gone wrong and see if we can make any amends or see if we can learn from what's happened." 

Last week, a group of inspectors went round the hospital as part of the investigation into death rates there. 

It follows the Keogh Review after the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire hospitals. A review of the findings is due in the summer.