Report comment

Anon 12-JAN-2013 9:54 AM - Got any examples of where Nicholson has admitted failing, really thought about what went wrong and demonstrated to the public that he's done things differently?

Just talking about wanting to improve things for patients achieves nothing.

Is the country so devoid of top talent that he and his cadre of senior NHS executives can't be easily replaced by people who are capable of taking action to improve the culture and service?

As for giving patients more clout, under the Nicholson regime those who speak up for safe care are treated to the same attempted bullying and gagging as NHS staff.

In the words of one anonymous and eloquent public contributor to the Patients First online blog:

“The NHS can be very bullying and intimidating if you step out of the craven, acquiescent role far too many of its staff expect you to play. This can never, ever be right in a democracy. It can never, ever be right when a body charged with nurturing health and curing illness can behave in ways that seriously prejudice the health, well-being and safety of anyone who dares to politely and intelligently challenge anomalies.”

The most revealing aspect of the HSJ interview with David Nicholson is the absence of any remorse for what happened at Mid Staffs.