Did Lansley threaten to sack CQC whistleblower? – Media and Blog Roundup, June 25th 2013

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Did Lansley threaten to sack CQC whistleblower?

The whistleblower at the health regulator who had raised concerns over care at the Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust has accused Andrew Lansley, the former health secretary, of giving an inaccurate account of the circumstances in which she spoke out. Kay Sheldon, a board member at the troubled Care Quality Commission, disputed Lansley’s account of events that he gave in an interview on Sunday, and repeated claims that she had been threatened with being fired. “Andrew Lansley only backed down because I threatened legal action,” Sheldon said. “I heard and read what he has been saying, and it does not accord with the events that happened.” The clash between the whistleblower and the former Conservative health secretary arose after Sheldon became concerned that the CQC had decided to register the failing Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust as fully compliant – meaning it provided adequate care – in 2010. – Guardian

Pensioners endorse cuts for pensioners

The majority of pensioners do not want special protection from the impact of public spending cuts, according to a ComRes survey for The Independent. Amid an intense political debate over the future of the basic state-pension and perks such as the winter fuel allowance, the poll suggests that most people aged 65 and over are prepared to absorb some of the pain in the age of austerity. The general public agrees by a margin of 49 per cent to 46 per cent with the statement that pensioners should “be no more immune to the impact of Government spending cuts than other members of society.” Surprisingly, 56 per cent of those aged 65 and over agree with this statement, more than any other age group, while 36 per cent disagree. – Independent

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