Scandal-hit Stafford Hospital trust is dissolved

Jeremy Hunt MP has agreed to dissolve the scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Under today's announcement, Stafford Hospital could still retain consultant-led maternity services after the Health Secretary agreed for NHS England to carry out a review into the issue.

The original plan from administrators had been for maternity services to close. However, this was later amended to the creation of a midwife-led unit. Mr Hunt has now agreed for a review of that decision.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has agreed to dissolve the scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and move key services to neighbouring hospitals.

Sue Hawkins, of the campaign group Support Stafford Hospital, said they expected that Jeremy Hunt "probably will" dissolve the trust.

She said they hoped that Mr Hunt would reflect some of their concerns in his announcement.

She told BBC Breakfast the concern was primarily over obstetrics.

She said 50,000 people had marched in a small town of only around 60,000 - although the surrounding area is bigger - showing their support for retaining these acute services.

"Treatment would obviously move to neighbouring trusts but we have a very high proportion of elderly. What is going to happen?"

Campaigner Julie Bailey, whose mother died at Stafford Hospital, has said that she will not be making a statement today, despite the Health Secretary preparing to announce his decision on the future of the scandal hit NHS Trust.

Read more: Hunt to announce decision on future of Mid Staffs

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will be making a written statement in the House of Commons later to announce his decision on if the scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust should be dissolved.

Background: Ruling on future of Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust due

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is due to announce his decision on whether the scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust should be dissolved.

Mid Staffordshire was the focus of one of the biggest scandals in the history of the NHS when hundreds more people died than would normally be expected.

The Francis Inquiry last year found examples of "appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people", with some left lying in their own faeces for days and drinking from vases.

Administrators have previously deemed the trust financially "unsustainable", claiming it would face annual debts of more than £40 million by 2017 without changes.