The trust which ran Stafford Hospital is to face criminal charges in connection with the deaths of four patients. HSE has charged Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust following its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the patients under its care.
The four cases relate to the deaths of:
Wayne Owen, HSE Principal Inspector in the West Midlands, said: “We have concluded our investigation into the death of four patients at Stafford Hospital and have decided there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to bring criminal proceedings in this case.
“There are four separate charges, each alleging a breach under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.”
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is due to appear before Stafford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 November 2015 for the first hearing in this case.
The Trust remains in place as a legal entity but no longer provides patient services. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust took over the running of Stafford Hospital, now named the County Hospital, and Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Mid-Staffs Trust special administrator Tim Rideout said the remaining “shell organisation” would oversee any “potential criminal liabilities”.
“I am committed to bringing matters to a conclusion as efficiently and effectively as possible in the best interests of the families concerned,” he said.
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