Robert Francis: 'Targets still seen as commands'

A report marking the first anniversary of the inquiry into serious failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, has found that hospitals in England are still struggling to balance financial pressures with the need to provide good quality care.

The inquiry's chair, Robert Francis QC, who has written the introduction to today's report, said that more patients are being listened to but the pressure to meet targets is still being felt by people on the frontline of NHS.