Experts are drafted in at Stafford Hospital

Financial experts are being called in to try and balance the books of the trust which runs Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals, it has been announced. They will advise the trust on how to run services.

Firms offering financial advice, accountancy, administrative and legal services are being called in.

The most severe move the experts could recommend is placing the trust into special administration. Health watchdog Monitor said the review was aimed at protecting services for patients.

The experts will deliver a report by spring next year.

It comes as the trust was due to announce later today whether Stafford Hospital A&E would reopen overnight again.

Health bosses held a behind-closed-doors meeting over the issue last night. Their decision was due to be made public later today. Members of the hospital's board have already agreed A&E is now capable of providing a 24-hour service. But they referred the final verdict to managers overseeing healthcare in the county.

The hospital closed A&E between 10pm and 8am in December due to concerns over staffing levels.