Stafford Hospital public inquiry to be adjourned

Stafford General Hospital has been the subject of several inquiries.

The public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is being adjourned due to medical reasons.

Inquiry chairman Robert Francis has said he needs a medical procedure which will take place in July.

The inquiry, which opened in November 2010, will be adjourned on 7 July and not resume until September.

It is looking into monitoring by regulatory bodies after a higher-than-expected number of deaths occurred between 2005 and 2008.

Mr Francis said he had spoken to health secretary Andrew Lansley to inform him of the decision.