Stafford Hospital pays out 1m over care failings



1 million in compensation has been distributed to 98 families of patients who suffered poor treatment at Stafford hospital. These claims were paid out after an independent inquiry was carried out in order to look at the care provided between 2005 and 2008. The Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has stated that they have paid out a total of 1,029,000 due to poor nursing and dignity issues. Many people campaigned for the compensation to be paid out after they said the hospital was not honest about the care received, due to this many people started legal proceedings. A Healthcare Commission report in 2009 found about 400 more people died at the hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected. Two independent inquries which were carried out found evidence of neglect. Anthony Sumara, Chief Executive of the trust has stated that 65 claims ranging from 1,500 to 27,000 were settled in July. A further 33 cases were also settled in October with the total amount of 369,000 being paid out. All claims are believed to be covered by the hospitals insurers. Mr Sumara stated As always I offer our sincerest apologies to the families concerned, for the distress caused by the poor care their relatives received at our trust in the past. We have made a lot of progress over the last year in improving the care for our patients and will continue to focus our efforts on building on these improvements and making sure that they are sustained.