Stafford and Cannock hospital revamp
The man brought in to look after Stafford and Cannock's hospitals has revealed he is already considering big changes that could see staffing levels boosted and major re-shuffles on the wards.
The man brought in to look after Stafford and Cannock's hospitals has revealed he is already considering big changes that could see staffing levels boosted and major re-shuffles on the wards.
Interim chief executive Eric Morton says he is not happy just to be a caretaker manager. The 57-year-old only arrived in Stafford on Monday to take up his role as a replacement for the former chief executive of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Martin Yeates.
Mr Morton spoke to the Express & Star just a week before the release of a long-awaited report by the Healthcare Commission, that is expected to include damning criticism of some aspects of the trust.
The father of two said he had not yet seen the full version of the report, but had faith in the Healthcare Commission's impartiality.
He said: "We've all got ideas about what we think will be in it and I don't want to speculate. But I'm sure it will be a very honest and balanced report.
"I hope they will also be able to reflect on the substantial improvements that have been made."
Mr Morton is already looking at long-term changes he may be able to make together with interim chairman David Stone at Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals.
He said: "I'm very impressed with the attitude of the staff. It's clearly been a very, very difficult time for them over the past 12 months, but I think they want to move on an the new chairman and I will be very keen to move things on over the next week or two.
"I don't know how long David and I are in Stafford – we've not got an end date. But neither of us would be comfortable being caretaker managers.
"It's our role to stimulate, to facilitate and to help all the staff to move forwards. From a professional point of view I'm really keen to see things stabilised, but also moving forwards."
Mr Morton added a review of staffing levels could be on the cards "in the near future" which could see a major boost in staffing levels.
He also will be looking at the layout of Stafford Hospital in order to make substantial improvements.
