deficiencies at virturally every stage

About 400 more people died at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected, the Healthcare Commission said.

It said there were deficiencies at "virtually every stage" of emergency care and managers pursued targets to the detriment of patient care.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has apologised and launched an inquiry.

One of the worst examples of care cited in the watchdog's report was the use of receptionists to carry out initial checks on patients.( what a kidding !!!!)

He said there would also be an independent review of the trust's emergency care and he had asked the National Quality Board to ensure the early warning systems for underperformance across the whole NHS were working properly. 

"There was a complete failure of management to address serious problems and monitor performance. This led to a totally unacceptable failure to treat emergency patients safely and with dignity.

"Local patients will want absolute certainty that Stafford Hospital has been transformed since this investigation began." 

it is said :

• Unqualified receptionists carried out initial checks on patients arriving at the accident and emergency department
• Heart monitors were turned off in the emergency assessment unit because nurses did not know how to use them
• There were not enough nurses to provide proper care
• The trust's management board did not routinely discuss the quality of care
• Patients were "dumped" into a ward near A&E without nursing care so the four-hour A&E waiting time could be met
• There was often no experienced surgeon in the hospital during the night

( what the hell these Docs & nurses were doing , i would NOT stand the service like that !!!!!! definately NOT!! )