Gorleston : Hospital Defends Itself

1 November 2011, 11:32 | Updated: 1 November 2011, 12:24

The James Pagnet University Hospital ensures patients that they are "safe in our hands" following a comparison with Mid Staffs Hospital.

The hospital say they have been forced to take this action following a comparison between The James Paget and Mid Staffs, where 400 people died avoidably because of endemic failures.

Chairman of the hospital John Hemming described the comparison as "scandalous."

"Patient safety has never been questioned. Patients are safe in our hands. The Trust has taken seriously the criticisms made by the CQC in respect of dignity and nutrition. Patients can be reassured by the actions we have taken and the changes made to date and that we continue to make."

The Mid Staffs comparison was made by Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey in a parliamentary debate last week when reading from an anonymous letter.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley is due to visit James Paget later this week.

Chief Executive, Wendy Slaney said "It will be an opportunity to show Mr Lansley first-hand what we have achieved in dealing with the CQC findings, and how seriously we regard these areas of patient care."

"We have become the subject of intense media interest in the last week, and we will be able to reassure the minister when he visits us. This is a good hospital with excellent care and dedicated staff."

The hospital has released a document stating what actions they have taken after the comparisons.