More hospitals in Savile inquiry

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt expects the results of investigations into hospitals' links with disgraced television presenter Jimmy Savile will be delivered by June 2014.

Mr Hunt said in a written statement to Parliament that 19 more hospitals will be investigated by their relevant health trusts, but stressed that each investigation will be properly monitored.

The number of hospitals now being investigated totals 32.

The Department of Health has named Hammersmith Hospital as part of an ongoing investigation into links with disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile. A spokesperson for the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said:

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust has said it will investigate one of its hospitals "thoroughly" after it was named with alleged links to disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

A spokesperson said:

Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Sutton, has been named as one of the hospitals to be investigated by the Department of Health, over alleged links with disgrace television presenter Jimmy Savile.

A spokesperson said: "Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust can confirm that it has been passed information by the Department of Health regarding Jimmy Savile, which names Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children (previously situated at Carshalton Beeches) for investigation.

"We will investigate this evidence thoroughly."

A lawyer specialising in abuse at the firm representing the 72 victims of Jimmy Savile said there were concerns that inquiries into other hospitals had only just started.

Liz Dux said all of the victims represented by Slater & Gordon had given detailed statements to Operation Yewtree, the police investigation into sexual abuse sparked by the Savile scandal.

Ms Dux said: "Whilst the victims of Savile would wish to ensure that the NHS inquiry is as comprehensive as possible, they have real concerns as to why the Department of Health has only just started its investigations into other hospitals now.

"The victims will be very upset about further delays into the NHS inquiry which will prolong their suffering."

A psychiatric hospital has been named by the Health Secretary today as part of one of the NHS Trusts allegedly linked with disgraced television presenter Jimmy Savile.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said:

One of the hospitals to be investigated over alleged links with disgraced television presenter Jimmy Savile has said it will learn any lesson in the future, after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced more were to be reviewed.

A spokeswoman for Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said:

A further 19 hospitals, including seven in and around London, are to have their links with disgraced television presenter Jimmy Savile investigated, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.

A spokesman for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust responded, saying:

Detectives investigating cases of alleged abuse by Jimmy Savile at an initial 13 hospitals gleaned further information that patients at other facilities could have been targeted by the television presenter.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement:

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced a further 19 hospitals are to be investigated in relation to links with Jimmy Savile.

The hospitals to be investigated are:

• Barnet General Hospital
• Booth Hall Children's Hospital
• De La Pole Hospital
• Dryburn Hospital
• Hammersmith Hospital
• Leavesden Secure Mental Hospital
• Marsden Hospital
• Maudsley Hospital
• North Manchester General Hospital
• Odstock Hospital
• Pindersfields Hospital
• Prestwich Psychiatric Hospital

• Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead
• Royal Free Hospital, London
• Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle
• Seacroft Hospital, Leeds
• St Mary's Hospital, Carshalton
• Whitby Memorial Hospital
• Wythenshawe Hospital