An NHS whistleblower who helped expose appalling failings at Stafford Hospital has been subjected to online abuse after receiving a CBE in the New Year Honours.
Julie Bailey, who was recognised for her services to the care of older people, said Facebook postings had accused her campaign group of "wrecking" health services in Stafford.
Several messages on the Support Stafford Hospital Facebook page criticised the honour, with one claiming it was a "complete insult" to hospital staff.
Ms Bailey founded Cure the NHS after the death of her mother at the hospital in 2007, and led calls for a public inquiry, which uncovered "terrible and unnecessary suffering" affecting hundreds of patients.
Administrators recommended last month that its services should be taken over by a neighbouring NHS trust.
Proposed changes have been criticised by local campaigners, who fear some services will now "dwindle away" from the town.
Ms Bailey, who has previously been subjected to online insults and threats, said of the latest abuse: "Our priority has only ever been patient safety, if that means transferring services to other hospitals then we support that move. "
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