PUBLIC INQUIRY GRANTED

11.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Jun 2010

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Cure the NHS campaign group for their Sterling efforts on behalf of the people of Staffordshire and beyond, to obtain a full legally binding public inquiry into the scandalous mismanagement of Stafford Hospital.

Councillor Chris Collis - Heath Hayes East & Wimblebury

This dedicated band of volunteers ably led by Julie Bailey have never given up the fight to get answers as to why so many individuals lost their lives whilst in the care of the hospital concerned, I have been inspired in my own work as a district councillor by the manner in which Cure the NHS has conducted its actions and by the huge amount of sheer determination and dignity they have displayed whilst doing so. We should all be extremely thankful that this well led and responsible group kept on pressing for a full public enquiry, especially when their request wasn't being listened too by those within the former Labour Government with the power to grant such an investigation.

I am also pleased that the current coalition government has quickly honoured its pre-election promise to hold a public inquiry. I sincerely hope this measure will at long last enable the many families whom have been so tragically effected by what occurred to obtain the information they so desperately need, to be able to complete the grieving process and hopefully gain some level of closure and peace of mind, if in fact this is ever possible to achieve due to the totally unnecessary delay they have had to endure.

Thank you "Cure the NHS"

Councillor Chris Collis

Cannock Chase District Council