Cameron supports hospital inquiry

David Cameron has called for a public inquiry into Stafford Hospital

Conservative leader David Cameron has backed fresh calls for a public inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital.

The Healthcare Commission said 400 people more than expected had died at the hospital, and managers had put targets ahead of patient care.

Relatives of patients who died at the hospital have been campaigning for a full public inquiry.

But the government has said the Healthcare Commission's investigation meant no further inquiries were needed.

Mr Cameron, who visited relatives campaigning for an inquiry on Tuesday, said they needed answers.

'So many questions'

He said: "There's been an appalling tale of mismanagement.

"We need to get to the bottom of this and I think a proper independent inquiry is the only way to know what went wrong, how it shouldn't happen again and why action wasn't taken more quickly."

Campaigner Julie Bailey's mother, Bella, died at the hospital in 2007.

She said: "I think the Healthcare Commission report doesn't give what's happened in this community justice. A public inquiry is the right way forward. We've got so many questions left to be answered."

Both Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Health Minister Ben Bradshaw have rejected calls for a public inquiry in recent weeks.