Christopher Pincher Speaks on Francis Report Statement

Yesterday in the House of Commons, Staffordshire born Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, praised the Prime Minister’s statement on Stafford hospital and asked how long it will take to implement the recommendations in the Francis Report.

Mr Pincher said, “I note that the Prime Minister shares the shock and incredulity of the people of Staffordshire, the county where I was born and which I represent, that such terrible things can happen in one of their local hospitals.  I am pleased that he says he will make it easier for whistle-blowers and for patients to put on record their experience of care.

“Will he say a little more about the speed with which he expects those data to be put in the public domain, so that patients, the public and hospital managers can make quick and informed decisions about what is going on in their hospitals?”

The Prime Minister replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for that.  Like others, like others, Staffordshire MPs have spoken with great passion about their care for their local health service and what it can provide.

“On the timing, Robert Francis says that he wants all parts of the NHS to respond to him on what they are going to do right across the NHS, and that should be done over the next year.  The Department of Health will be looking in the coming months at all the recommendations and responding.

“Specifically on the inspections, which are so important, as I said in my statement we are going to look at these changes to the CQC, but even before that Bruce Keogh is going to run this set of inspections into hospitals that have high rates of mortality and make sure that they are being dealt with properly.”