That former Care Quality Commission chief executive Cynthia Bower resigned so quickly from her current job after being named as one of the three executives involved in a discussion about covering up the Commission’s failings simply underlines what an appalling mess this case has been from start to finish. The names were withheld ostensibly because of data protection, but when they appeared, it was clear that this was about another sort of protection. Perhaps this will be the tipping point against unaccountable NHS managers and inspectors staying safe whatever their failings. Jeremy Hunt certainly seemed to think that it could be, tweeting:
‘Pleased to receive CQC letter naming the individuals involved. Clear sign NHS is changing. We must have accountability throughout the system.’
An even more important shift will be in the readiness of the public to believe health officials and politicians when they tell them that everything is fine with the NHS. They were told this in the case of the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust. Everything wasn’t fine. It’s another blow to the religious fervour for the health system that has undermined attempts to scrutinise whether it really is performing well.
Hunt is giving a speech tomorrow on NHS reform, where he will doubtless continue his quest to be patients’ champion. Labour has made clear that it is ready for a political fight on this, with Shadow Health Minister Jamie Reed saying:
‘This is a cover-up that happened on this Government’s watch and they need to provide answers on it.’
This is just the next level in that increasingly vitriolic battle between the two sides for that ‘party of the NHS’ crown. As with the A&E row, this is as much about politics as it is about the issue.
Comments