Hospital notes 6 March

More shambles. The regulator for nurses and midwives is still not doing enough to protect patients properly, MPs are warning. The Health Select Committee said a huge backlog of cases was hampering the ability of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to safeguard standards. Of course the NMC is working hard to put things right. No doubt lessons have been learned.

Accident and emergency nurses in the hospital at the centre of the Stafford care scandal were 'punished' if they spent too much time caring for patients by 'draconian management', a tribunal has heard.

The Telegraph's Benedict Brogan writes that

Sir David Nicholson makes the transition from the "man with no shame" to the "man with no answers" in today's Mail.

His performance at the Health Select Committee yesterday did him few favours. Sir David insisted he had "no idea" of what had been happening in terms of neglect at Mid Staffordshire, but added that he was still the right man to lead the health service.

Our leader argues that "Sir David must go" if justice is to be done. Writing for us, Conservative MP Steve Barclay asks why the chief executive has won such sustained political support:

"It is baffling that a close-knit group of former health ministers and front benchers from across the political spectrum appear to be acting as gatekeepers for those who are ultimately responsible for this unprecedented crisis of trust in the NHS."

Matt's cartoons are usually very gentle, but today's about Sir David Nicholson is angry.