A HILLSBOROUGH-style review into the care and subsequent deaths of older people at Gosport War Memorial Hospital has been launched.

The investigation into events at the hospital from the 1980s through to the early 2000s has officially now begun, following an announcement by Care Minister Norman Lamb.

As previously reported it was announced that Bishop James Jones, who chaired the Hillsborough Independent Panel into the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters at a football match, would oversee the investigation.

Bishop Jones, chair of the Gosport Independent Panel, said: “Many families have ongoing concerns about the way their relatives were treated and how their complaints have been handled.

“I want to help provide clarity and understanding for the families.

“By working with them to set and deliver the terms of reference with a panel of experts from different fields I believe I can achieve this.

Independence and integrity will be the hallmarks of the panel’s work”

Care Minister Norman Lamb said: “The events at Gosport War Memorial Hospital have caused immense distress to the families of the patients who died. I have confidence that this independent panel will help answer the many questions they have.”

The panel will look at circumstances surrounding the care of elderly patients following inquests which heard that concerns were raised by families of several patients who were treated at the hospital.

The criticism centred around the level and regularity of pain-relieving drugs including morphine and diamorphine being administered to older patients at the hospital.

At the inquest into her mother’s death Gillian MacKenzie said she believed gross negligence had resulted in the death of her mother, Gladys Richards, at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in 1998 Inquests held in 2009 recorded that drugs had been a contributory factor in five other deaths at the hospital.

A Hampshire police inquiry into 92 suspicious deaths at the hospital resulted in no criminal charges being brought.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: “I welcome the Government’s commitment to finding out what really happened at Gosport War Memorial Hospital and am pleased that the expertise of Bishop James Jones and his colleagues will be drawn on throughout this process.

“I would urge anyone with information to make contact with the Independent panel.”