Man at heart of Hillsborough exposure to lead Barrow hospital inquiry
Last updated at 16:37, Wednesday, 13 March 2013
A MEMBER of the panel which eventually uncovered the truth surrounding the Hillsborough tragedy has been lined up to lead an independent inquiry into Barrow hospital failings.
Dr Bill Kirkup, CBE, a member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, has been chosen to investigate past failings at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs FGH, and how NHS regulators allowed them to happen.
Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock revealed the news to the Evening Mail after north west MPs met health minister, Dr Dan Poulter, this morning.
Of Dr Kirkup's appointment, Mr Woodcock said: "He's obviously very respected so this is a big step forward."
The Hillsborough Independent Panel was appointed by the government in January 2010 to ensure the maximum possible disclosure of documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989.
At the start of an FA Cup semi-final, a crush on the steel-fenced terraces of Sheffield Wednesday's stadium resulted in the death of 96 Liverpool fans and left hundreds more injured.
In September, the Hillsborough Independent Panel finally brought the truth to light about what happened that day, vindicating the victims and football supporters after 23 years of blame and exposing official failings and subsequent cover-ups by the authorities.
Dr Bill Kirkup, one of nine members of the panel, was appointed a consultant in 1986. He held posts in public health and at Newcastle University before moving into NHS management with the former Northern Regional Health Authority.
In 1999, he was appointed regional director of public health and in 2005 became associate chief medical officer in the Department of Health. Dr Kirkup has also worked on public health and reconstruction in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was made a CBE in 2008.
First published at 10:28, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Let's hope Dr. Kirkup will bring some honesty and truth to this inquiry because at the present time the staff and people of Barrow are being fed a constant stream of lies. By the way is Alistair Campbell being employed by the current Board because the amount of spin that is being produced is certainly making all of the staff very very angry.
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I am currently at the start of processing a complaint against the way I was treated at FGH
maternity ward, which resulted in the death of my baby at Christmas time. I never want to see another mother neglected and mistreated the way I was and I welcome this enquiry. I know my personal campaign is going to be a long journey, I have already been met with obstacles which included notes that had gone "missing". I will not let this lie though and I will be heard.
Posted by Claire S. on 14 March 2013 at 14:45