Notices served on trust after Stafford Hospital death
Three improvement notices have been served on the trust which runs Stafford Hospital after an investigation into the death of a patient.
The Health and Safety Executive launched the inquiry after the death of Edith Bourne in July.
She had been transferred to Stafford's A&E department from Cannock Chase Hospital, where she was initially being cared for.
The 84-year-old died at Stafford's Acute Medical Unit.
Today it emerged bosses at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust have been ordered to address failings in managing the risk of falls, and arrangements for exchanging and recording patient information. The trust must comply with the orders by February 14 or risk prosecution.
Maggie Oldham, chief executive at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, says she has started an internal review 'to make sure that we have robust systems and practices in place to ensure we are not putting patients at risk'.
"The trust was served with three improvement notices on November 14. These relate to falls risk assessment, documentation and handover. We have a three-month period to demonstrate that we are compliant and not in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
"We have been in contact with the family so that they are aware of the situation and we have apologised for the shortcomings in the care provided."
Kevin Hegarty, senior press officer for the Health and Safety Executive, said: "HSE has served the notices to address issues identified by our inspectors during this investigation. They require the trust to take action to address failings in management of risk to patients of falling, and arrangements for exchanging and recording information on patients.
"The notices set out what remedial action is necessary and a deadline for its completion is February 14, 2014."
