TAMESIDE’S three MPs have called for the senior management at Tameside Hospital to stand down amid increasing concerns about patient care.

In an unprecedented step, David Heyes, Andrew Gwynne and James Purnell, joined by Glossop MP Tom Levitt, issued a statement calling for ‘fundamental changes in the running of the hospital’ – including for the top brass to step down from their posts.

"Patients should be able to expect the highest possible standards of care and cleanliness from their local hospital. And following the publication of this inspection report by the Care Quality Commission we believe it is time to say, ‘enough is enough’," their statement said.

"We have been reluctant to call for fundamental changes in the running of the hospital. But we now believe it is a necessary first step if the hospital is to get the fresh start that the people of Tameside deserve."

The call for change comes days after a report from the Care Quality Commission said that inspectors had found dirty commodes and dusty accident and emergency equipment – failing the hospital in two out of 16 areas of inspection.

Last week the hospital came under fire following a blunder at the hospital mortuary in which a grieving family cremated the wrong body and dozens of patients and relatives confronted hospital managers at a heated public meeting.

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Ashton MP David Heyes said: "I just think the whole of the top management needs to go.

"The MPs have been to see the secretary of state – he has concerns about what’s going on there. The responsibility is ultimately in the hands of the foundation trust board and the chairman of the board.

"They can’t even meet the level of an average hospital and we don’t want an average hospital, we want a good hospital "

Both Andrew Gwynne and James Purnell joined Mr Heyes in calling for radical changes.

"I now think the time has come for the top management to accept that they cannot wheel out the same excuses they’ve used in the past, which is precisely what they did at the recent health scrutiny conference in Dukinfield," said Mr Gwynne.

"The fact is Tameside Hospital will only have a real opportunity to improve under new management."

Mr Purnell added: "It was clear from the health scrutiny forum two weeks ago that too many patients and relatives have had experiences of Tameside Hospital that fell woefully short of their expectations.

"Tameside Hospital needs to have the complete confidence of patients, staff and the local community. This, I believe, is only possible if fundamental changes are made in the running of the hospital."

Hospital chief executive Christine Green was away and unable to comment but trust chairman, Tim Presswood, responded by saying: "The two areas of concern which the CQC highlighted were immediately addressed on the day of the visit, and we have since reassured the CQC that all recommended actions have been completed. They have been invited back to the hospital to see that we have now complied with their recommendations in all parts of the hospital."

He added that death rates had fallen by seven points, that the services at the hospital were rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, and that the trust has the highest level of accreditation in general and maternity care.

The Rev Presswood added: "Staff and management at the Trust are working extremely hard and have my full support in carrying forward all these areas of work, to ensure that standards of care at the hospital continue to improve year on year."