Mid Staffs accepts case referral to Crown Court

Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Gillian Astbury and we apologise for the dreadful care Ms Astbury received at Stafford Hospital in April 2007.

We have been very open and candid and have cooperated fully with the Health and Safety Executive throughout its investigation.

The Trust offered no defence to the charge which the Health and Safety Executive brought against it today and accepts the court's decision to refer the case to the Crown Court.

Although of little consideration to Ms Astbury's family, we can assure them that we have done everything we can to put right those things which went so very wrong in 2007 and that the standard of care now provided at the hospital has improved considerably over the last few years, as has been recognised by many independent organisations and individuals.