THE Care Quality Commission (CQC) has named those said to be involved in an alleged cover-up over failings at the Morecambe Bay hospital trust.

The scandal-hit health watchdog has reversed its decision to withhold the names associated with claims of a suppression of information concerning problems at Furness General Hospital’s maternity unit.

It follows the release of a damning report yesterday, commissioned by the CQC’s current chief executive David Behan, which said its failure to spot major problems at FGH led to the information being buried when the problems were later uncovered.

Those mentioned in the report were originally anonymised with a single initial.

But CQC has now said:

 

* Those present in the room when the discussion about ‘deletion’ occurred were:

Mr E: Cynthia Bower - former chief executive who resigned

Mr F: Anna Jefferson - media manager and current employee

Mr G: Jill Finney - former deputy chief executive who resigned

Mr J: Louise Dineley - head of regulatory risk and quality and current employee

 

* Others interviewed for the latest report, but not present at the meeting were:

Mr B: Dame Jo Williams - former chair who resigned

Mr D: Amanda Sherlock - former director of operations who was made redundant

 

* Other senior individuals referred to in the report:

Mr C: Louise Guss - former director of governance and legal services who resigned

Mr K: Dr Martin Marshall - board member whose term has now ended

Mr N: Sue McMillan - former regional director for the North West and current employee

 

The release of the names followed calls from local MPs, Tim Farron and John Woodcock, for the public to be told who was involved.

In a letter to the information commissioner this morning Mr Farron said: “I hope you can understand why those grieving families deserve to know, who said what and who tried to cover up what happened.

“The least these families deserve is the justice that has eluded them for the last few years.”

More than 30 families have taken legal action against the Trust - which runs Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Westmorland General Hospital - in relation to baby and maternal deaths and injuries since 2008.

But a CQC inspection three years ago failed to spot the problems, resulting in the Trust having its risk rating changed from red to less serious amber.

When problems came to light a review was ordered into how they had gone unnoticed - but this was later destroyed as it was felt to be too critical of the regulator.

The latest report was commissioned by the regulator but carried out by consultants Grant Thornton.

After its release, James Titcombe, whose nine-day-old son Joshua died at Furness General Hospital of a treatable infection, called for the managers involved to be named.

As the names were released, at around 4.15pm, MP Mr Woodcock said: “People found guilty of a cover-up that may have cost lives should never work in or around the NHS again and may be criminally liable.

“Now public pressure has dragged the names out of the Care Quality Commission we need a thorough but swift independent process to get to the bottom of whether they are indeed guilty of these appalling allegations.

“But the investigation must also test the alarming claim in this week’s report that this may be part of ‘a broader and ongoing cover-up’- we need to understand what happened when the former secretary of state was apparently warned about a cover-up at the CQC by a whistleblower just before the document was suppressed.”

He also called for current health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to cover any legal costs incurred by the CQC if legal action was taken by those named.

He said: “Lawyers and public sector managers are often highly risk-averse but there is a clear wider public interest in these names being in the public domain so I am asking you to consider offering to cover, out of the department of health’s budget, any legal costs that the CQC may incur if those linked to the cover-up attempt to sue after they are named.”

A spokeswoman for Healthwatch Cumbria also spoke out as the names were released, saying: “Healthwatch Cumbria fully intends to engage with the Trust, to carry out statutory announced and unannounced visits and ensure that they are fully aware of the concerns of the patients using their services.

“We pay tribute to James Titcombe, who lost his son, for having the courage and tenacity to raise his concerns and challenge a system which can at times feel impenetrable.

“We are committed to turning up the volume of the patient and public voice in Cumbria.

“Patients and members of the public can come to us to share their stories and we will provide support to ensure they are listened to.”

David Prior, new chairman of the CQC, has since insisted the organisation has turned itself around.

He added: “We let down people like James Titcombe and the MPs who have taken up his case.”