The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has started a formal investigation into the circumstances of the death of Gillian Astbury at Stafford Hospital in April 2007, it confirmed today (11 April 2013).
A spokesman said:
“Following legal advice, HSE deferred a decision to pursue the investigation into Gillian Astbury’s death until the conclusion of the public inquiry, chaired by Robert Francis QC, into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
“We can now confirm that our inspectors have today formally started an investigation.
“Our focus will be on establishing whether there is evidence of the employer [the Trust] or individuals failing to comply with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act.”