Dummy 'taped to baby's face'

It became the most notorious hospital in Britain for its maltreatment of patients depriving some of food, water and proper care.

Read more about the Mid Staffordshire Hospital here.

But now, countless promises of change later, a baby boy has been found at Mid Staffordshire Hospital with a dummy taped to his face. Police are investigating.

From the hospital ITV News Correspondent Rupert Evelyn reports:

The four month old baby, who was born premature, was recovering after being admitted with breathing issues. It was at that point that a nurse on the ward found the boy with a dummy taped to his mouth.

That nurse reported that to the powers that be here at the hospital and as a result a nurse has been suspended and the hospital have begun an investigation, as have the police.

We understand that the first thing the mother knew was when she saw the police and staff around the bed.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has been subject to several reviews and investigations, after a highly critical report by the Healthcare Commission in 2009 revealed a catalogue of failings, and said "appalling standards" had put patients at risk:

• Between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected between 2005 and 2008
• An independent inquiry into events at the trust in February 2010 found it had "routinely neglected patients"

• The Trust has paid out more than £1 million in compensation to 120 victims of abuse, or their families

An £11 million review of what went wrong at Stafford Hospital between January 2005 and March 2009 will be published on February 6.

It is understood that the inquiry chairman will recommend wide-ranging reforms of the NHS.

It has been reported that the review will recommend that hospitals that cover up mistakes by doctors and poor treatment of patients face fines, and possible closure.

Staffordshire Police are investigating a complaint concerning the treatment of a baby boy by a member of Stafford Hospital earlier this month. A spokesman said:

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has apologised after a baby was found with a dummy taped to its face at Stafford Hospital.

Colin Ovington, Director of Nursing, said the incident was "exceptional" and they were proud staff felt "confident" enough to report it.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has been forced to apologise after a baby was found with a dummy taped to its face.

The scandal-hit NHS Trust, currently at the centre of a public inquiry into serious failing of care, said a member of staff from Stafford Hospital has been suspended, and that the police are investigating.