NHS leadership: has the world lost a little decency and honour?

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In April 1982 Lord Carrington, along with the rest of his foreign office team, resigned from government. Not because they had done anything wrong but because something very wrong - the Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands - had taken place while they headed the Foreign Office.

Here's what Lord Carrington wrote:

The Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands has led to strong criticism in Parliament and in the press of the Government's policy. In my view, much of the criticism is unfounded. But I have been responsible for the conduct of that policy and I think it right that I should resign.

When I listen, as I did yesterday, to the Chief Executive of an NHS hospital refusing even to consider resigning, I am reminded of Peter Carrington's response to failure on his watch.  Here's what the modern response reads like:

Asked by BBC Essex if he would resign, the hospital's chief executive Dr Gordon Coutts said: "My job is to keep improving this hospital, and I intend to continue to do so."

Am I alone in thinking the world has lost a little decency and honour?

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Accountability...

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Sharon Shoesmith, who was Director of Children's Services in Haringey at the time of the 'Baby P' case, won her appeal against being sacked as a result of the case. I am not concerned with the details of this case - it was a terrible and perhaps avoidable tragedy and I'm sure Ms Shoesmith acted throughout as a professional officer.

My worry is that Ms Shoesmith's denial of accountability for her department's failures serves us, the public, poorly. Let me draw a comparison - and a contrast:

Dear Margaret, 

The Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands has led to strong criticism in Parliament and in the press of the Government's policy. In my view, much of the criticism is unfounded. But I have been responsible for the conduct of that policy and I think it right that I should resign. As you know, I have given long and careful thought to this. I warmly appreciate the kindness and support which you showed me when we discussed this matter on Saturday. But the fact remains that the invasion of the Falkland Islands has been a humiliating affront to this country. 

We must now, as you said in the House of Commons, do everything we can to uphold the right of the Islanders to live in peace, to choose their own way of life and to determine their own allegiance. I am sure that this is the right course, and one which deserves the undivided support of Parliament and of the country. But I have concluded with regret that this support will more easily be maintained if the Foreign Office is entrusted to someone else. 

I have been privileged to be a member of this Government and to be associated with its achievements over the past three years. I need hardly say that the Government will continue to have my active support. I am most grateful to you personally for the unfailing confidence you have shown in me. 

Yours ever 

Peter

That is accountability.

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