Anger at 'secretive' hospital inquiry

Members of Cure The NHS protested outside the Department of Health in central London where they waved banners calling for the resignation of Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

The inquiry was launched into events at Stafford Hospital after a Healthcare Commission investigation found a catalogue of failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Cannock Chase Hospital, put hundreds of patients' lives at risk.

The commission found between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected in a three-year period from 2005 to 2008.

Campaign group founder Julie Bailey said she was angry that inquiry chairman Robert Francis QC, who is due to hand in the report, ruled last year that the probe should be held in private.

Yesterday the campaign group renewed calls for a full public inquiry.