A HOSPITAL campaigner has called for a memorial to be raised to those whose lives were lost in the disaster at Stafford Hospital.
Rolfe Pearce said it was clear the hospital ‘careered down a truly unbelievable and horrific path of devastating harm’ to patients and families who trusted the staff and hospital to care for their loved ones.
“It’s time to recognise the events over those dreadful years with a memorial to those who's lives were lost,” said Mr Pearce. “If they had fallen in a war they would be remembered in this way, if they had been lost in a tragic accident they would have been remembered in this way.
“Those effected should be remembered not just by those who loved and miss them, but by all the people of Stafford, and especially those who work at the hospital today so that we all remember those dreadful years and remember that you can speak out to avert disaster whoever you are, and in the future you will be listened to.”
Mr Pearce, who launched a campaign in 2011 to stop the closure of the A&E department that was signed by more than 20,000 people, suggested placing a memorial in the grounds of the hospital itself.
“Not to cause harm or upset, but the saying ‘lest we forget’ rings very true here,” he said. “Let Stafford Hospital never be associated with anything like this ever again, and this will be a timely reminder to all should standards start to slip again.
“Then as the Francis Report is placed into action across the UK, it will be a fitting tribute to the families determination that the deaths of their loved ones was not in vain,” he said. “I hope the town will adopt this very fitting tribute to those hundreds of local people who have died or were harmed in those dark and unbelievably dangerous days.”
Mr Pearce said the tribute should be paid for and tended by the NHS.
