NHS Has ‘Cover-Up Culture’ on Deaths, Says Ombudsman

The NHS has been accused by its outgoing ombudsman of fostering a “cover-up culture” and is more interested in “reputation management” than allowing grieving relatives to discover the truth about the avoidable deaths of loved ones. Rob Behrans said his investigations into hospital failings had uncovered “the altering of care plans and the disappearance of crucial documents after patients have died and robust denial in the face of documentary evidence.” Mr. Behrans is stepping down from the ombudsman role after seven years and made his highly critical remarks about NHS malpractice in an interview with The Guardian. He claimed that hospital boards, ministers, and senior staff all appear reluctant to end the health service’s victimisation of staff who blow the whistle on poor care and medical negligence....