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Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

I congratulate the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir John Stanley) on securing this important debate. I appreciate the comments that he and other hon. Members have made, and, in particular, the seriousness of the tone with which they have been expressed. Other Members from the area who are not in the Chamber today have also made their voices clear to me and to the Secretary of State. I want to take the opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to all who have been affected by the tragic deaths that have occurred at the trust. Of course, that is not sufficient for grieving relatives and families. I have always acknowledged that since the announcement of the report, which is as serious as it gets. It showed a lack of management across the spectrum, from the wards to the board. There is no excuse for that at any level—from professional clinical staff, nurses, medical and biochemistry staff, to cleaners and managers. We have failed people across the health service spectrum. I have acknowledged that on previous occasions, and can do so again today, although it gives me no pleasure to say that to the right hon. Gentleman. The report found that the trust board was unaware of the high infection rates, and did not spend enough time considering infection control. The report makes recommendations for action by the trust, including a review of the trust board's leadership, prioritising of infection control at board level, risk management, clinical guidance, staffing levels and training. The right hon. Gentleman referred to a report by Professor McCormick, which will be updated and published, I believe, at the end of this year. We note that and look forward to his report back. On other leadership matters in the trust, I accept totally the right hon. Gentleman's comments about with whom the buck should stop. I personally think that that goes across the clinical field, and I know that a leadership review is taking place, which will report back shortly.