Cameron
defends
NHS boss
over calls
to quit

Mr Cameron has come under intense pressure from some of the relatives of those who died in Mid-Staffordshire to sack Sir David, who had direct responsibility for the Trust as head of its Regional Health Authority for part of the period when patients were neglected and mistreated.

But the Prime Minister said that Sir David was doing a “very good job” as head of the NHS and had already acknowledged “mistakes” made by the RHA under his leadership and “properly” apologised for them.

“I think David Nicholson does a very good job,” said the PM.

“I have worked with him at close quarters since becoming Prime Minister and I am impressed with the grip and grasp he has on the NHS and what he delivers in terms of results.

“I read the report very carefully. I looked at what people were responsible for and it seemed to me that he had properly apologised for and acknowledged the mistakes the Regional Health Authority made when he ran it for the short period of time as these events unfolded.”

Mr Cameron told reporters in India: “I would remind you of what the report says, that we should not be seeking scapegoats. I think to highlight David Nicholson in that way would be seeking a scapegoat.”

However, nine out of 10 health professionals want Sir David to resign as NHS chief executive, according to a web poll. Website NHSmanagers.net surveyed 1,723 doctors, nurses, managers and other senior NHS staff and 92 per cent said he should step down.

Roy Lilley, a health policy analyst who runs the website, said: ‘This is a huge blow for Sir David. It is clear he no longer enjoys the support of front-line staff.”

He added that if the NHS were a business, then shareholders would be calling for a “new boss and a clean sweep of the board” and taxpayers “shouldn’t expect anything less”.

Comment: Page 12.