Inquiry wants to hear from public; REPORT: Stafford Hospital goes under the microscope over standards.

Byline: Alison Dayani

INVESTIGATORS holding an independent inquiry into shamed Stafford Hospital where at least 400 patients died unnecessarily are holding a series of community meetings to gather evidence from people on the ground.

They want to hear from families about the care and experiences they encountered at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stafford and Cannock Chase hospitals, between January 2005 and March 2009.

Drop-in sessions will take today at Oldfellows Hall, Greengate Street, Stafford, from 8.30am to 6.30pm; Chase Council for Voluntary Services, Arthur Street, Cannock, on Thursday from midday to 4.30pm and Avon Business and Leisure Ltd, Avon Road, Cannock, on October 22 from midday to 5pm.

People can also go to meetings at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford, on October 23, from 10am to 2.30pm and at Stafford District Voluntary Services, 131 - 141 North Walls, Stafford, on October 30 from 9.30am to 4pm.

Robert Francis QC, who is chairing the Inquiry, said: "I encourage any member of the public with a view on the care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between January 2005 and March 2009, good or bad, to contact the Inquiry. It is vital that everyone has the opportunity to give an account of their experiences. People's stories will be listened to and they will inform the outcome of my report."

He added that the Inquiry wanted to hear views from a broad range of people and interested parties, including patients, families, the general public and hospital staff, past and present, in order to inform its thinking and conclusions. This latest investigation is offering more people the chance to submit evidence on their experience of the Trust along with assess the role of those who were responsible for the management of the hospital at the time and review the process of accountability.

Anyone who cannot make the meetings, can also contact investigators by emailing: info@midstaffsinquiry.

com, calling 0207 633 4172 from Monday to Friday 9am to 6.30pm, or writing to: Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, 7th Floor, New Kings Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9BW.