The problems of the organization’s entire management culture need to be addressed if Stafford hospital and the wider NHS are to avoid repeating their mistakes of the past. As only one UK worker in five holding a management position is professionally qualified; Stafford hospital is an example as to why it needs to make amends urgently.

Describing the breach of NHS values as fundamental, it was reported that targets were prioritized above everything else as there was a total lack of employee engagement, owing to a deficient training and development programme.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive, Chartered Management Institute, said that the Francis report made it quite clear that in addition to there being many systemic and leadership failings, there was also individual culpability as nurses and doctors behaved terribly towards patients.

Robert Francis said, "Unhappily, the view of nearly the whole board can be characterized as one of denial".

Mr. Francis who blamed chronic staff shortages said while many staff did their best, others showed a disturbing lack of compassion and added that there could no longer be any excuses for denying the scale of failure.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham apologized and ordered a second inquiry, raising doubts over Mid-Staffordshire's status as a foundation trust.