Hunt: Review found 'NHS reputation mattered more than patients'

We owe it to the 3 million who use the NHS every week to tackle and confront abuse, incompetence and weak leadership head-on.

No statistics are perfect but mortality rates suggest since 2005 thousands more people may have died than would normally be expected at the 14 trusts reviewed by Sir Bruce.

Worryingly in half of those trusts the CQC (Care Quality Commission), the regulator specifically responsible for patient safety and care, failed to spot any real cause for concern rating them as compliant with basic standards.