Many of you will have seen in the media articles relating to issues concerning a consultant at the hospital.

As Chairman of Newcastle Health Scrutiny I have met with the Chief Executive of the Hospital and the Chairman of the Trust. Cllr Dylis Cornes, a county member of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny accompanied me.

There are five separate inquiries under way, with reports due by the end of August. The Hospital Trust will present these to a meeting of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny in September, this will be followed by a public accountability meeting in Newcastle. It would be inappropriate to make further comment before this process is complete. In the meantime please be assured that work is in hand to get to the bottom of this issue.