New trust chief executive backed

Mr Sumara's appointment was announced this month

A campaign group is backing a new chief executive for a hospital where a watchdog found "appalling" emergency care led to patients dying needlessly.

Another inquiry over Stafford Hospital which will hear evidence from patients and families was announced on Tuesday.

In March the Healthcare Commission said about 400 more people died between 2005 and 2008 there than would be expected.

Julie Bailey, from Cure the NHS, said the new chief executive, Antony Sumara, had "vision" and "strength".

She said: "We need him to lift the lid off that hospital and see what's been going on."

On Tuesday the Care Quality Commission said there had been progress, but some areas had to be addressed "urgently".

It was announced earlier this month Mr Sumara had been appointed as chief executive at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which looks after Stafford Hospital.

He cut hundreds of jobs when he was at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Mr Sumara was in Stafford during the week ahead of moving back to the area at the start of next month.