Stafford Hospital: Care Unsustainable

An independent investigation concludes that the scandal-hit Trust will not be able to provide safe care on a sustainable basis in future.

 

Monitor says there have been significant improvements at Stafford Hospital after the damning report in 2009, but the current situation will not continue over the next three to five years.

 

This is because it needs to save £53 million over the next five years and still needs a subsidy of £73 million from the Department of Health.

 

It also says that despite investment in staff the Trust does not have enough employees needed to run consultant-led service in the A&E, emergency surgery and Paediatric departments 24/7.

 

They added that despite repeated attempts to turn around its financial position the Trust ''remains financially challenged'' and is expected to require further support to continue operating.

 

The Trust is at the centre of a public inquiry into the higher-than-expected number of deaths there between January 2005 and March 2009.

 

The inquiry is due to report back at the end of January which is expected to recommend wide-ranging reforms of the NHS.

 

Experts at Monitor will now examine how services can be provided in a sustainable way

 

A spokeswoman said that: ''Once Monitor has received recommendations in a final report, the regulator will decide what action to take and whether to put the Trust into Special Administration''.