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# NHS boss apologises for tweeting Hitler parody
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/nhs-boss-apologises-for-tweeting-hitler-parody/
- Published: 2014-02-28T11:02:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-16T13:32:06.000Z
- Description: The care.data debacle - the cracks are showing at the top....
- Author: OurNHS
- Tags: Technology and privacy, #Migrated, Big data, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 16:46, #ImagesUploaded

It had to happen - the caredata debacle and the reaction of NHS IT boss Tim Kelsey, has been immortalised in a classic "Downfall" parody by Paul Bernal.

The video found an unexpected fan - Kelsey's boss, NHS Chief David Nicholson, who tweeted the Hitler parody video of his employee to the world.

![nicholson tweet.png](https://www.opendemocracy.net/content/files/2026/04/nicholson_tweet_z5ebdr9-1776345567934.png)

nicholson tweet.png

Tim Kelsey responded through gritted teeth:

*The downfall thing funny* [*@paulbernal*](https://twitter.com/PaulBernal?ref=opendemocracy.net) *but (and am not the PC police) think care.data is a big issue: should not be too silly*

— Tim Kelsey (@tkelsey1) [February 27, 2014](https://twitter.com/tkelsey1/statuses/439177159782203392?ref=opendemocracy.net)

As a public figure Kelsey is of course fair game for satire and media critique - but he might have hoped for something more supportive in public from his boss than this apparant glee in his discomfiture.

Nicholson's pre-retirement venture onto Twitter has been [notably "relaxed"](http://www.hsj.co.uk/comment/blogs/nicholson-joins-twitter-souvenir-special/5067749.blog?force-desktop=true&ref=opendemocracy.net) but this latest tweet raised eyebrows about the management culture at the top of the NHS:

*Can't believe David Nicholson tweeted this* [*@DavidNichols0n*](https://twitter.com/DavidNichols0n?ref=opendemocracy.net) *Tim Kelsey discovers that care.data is in trouble* [*http://t.co/vUk7d07SBl*](http://t.co/vUk7d07SBl?ref=opendemocracy.net) *…*

— Alison Moore (@AliJaneMoore) [February 27, 2014](https://twitter.com/AliJaneMoore/statuses/438978416680120320?ref=opendemocracy.net)

[*@carolinejmolloy*](https://twitter.com/carolinejmolloy?ref=opendemocracy.net) *wonder if* [*@NHSEngland*](https://twitter.com/NHSEngland?ref=opendemocracy.net) *has a respect at work policy*

— Mary Brooks (@MarygBrooks) [February 27, 2014](https://twitter.com/MarygBrooks/statuses/439176848225079296?ref=opendemocracy.net)

[*@MarygBrooks*](https://twitter.com/MarygBrooks?ref=opendemocracy.net)[*@carolinejmolloy*](https://twitter.com/carolinejmolloy?ref=opendemocracy.net)[*@NHSEngland*](https://twitter.com/NHSEngland?ref=opendemocracy.net) *Probably locked in the same cupboard as the data protection policy*

— Tim Gough (@TimGough3) [February 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/TimGough3/statuses/439195499942645761?ref=opendemocracy.net)

NHS whistleblower Gary Walker was amongst those commenting:

[*@garywalkeruk*](https://twitter.com/garywalkeruk?ref=opendemocracy.net) *yeah, I didn't think it was an appropriate thing for a boss to do, either. Difference between "kicking up" and "kicking down"*

— Claire OT (@claireOT) [February 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/claireOT/statuses/439191881080377344?ref=opendemocracy.net)

Nicholson has now deleted the tweet, apologised, and replaced it with something more supportive of his embattled colleague.

[*@tkelsey1*](https://twitter.com/tkelsey1?ref=opendemocracy.net) *sorry this is what happens when you give an old bloke with an over developed sense of humour new tech you're doing a great job X*

— David Nicholson (@DavidNichols0n) [February 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/DavidNichols0n/statuses/439317621490843648?ref=opendemocracy.net)

Nicholson - shortly to retire - is perhaps a little demob happy. But Kelsey's old colleague Professor Sir Brian Jarman thought perhaps there was a little more to it, and helpfully reminded OurNHS:

*.*[*@tkelsey1*](https://twitter.com/tkelsey1?ref=opendemocracy.net) *started Dr Foster, pub HSMRs & developed alerts website that showed Mid Staffs. NHS CE was CE of SHA perform manage MS* [*@OurNHS\_oD*](https://twitter.com/OurNHS%5FoD?ref=opendemocracy.net)

— BrianJarman (@Jarmann) [February 28, 2014](https://twitter.com/Jarmann/statuses/439355622723956736?ref=opendemocracy.net)

"NHS CE" refers to David Nicholson, formerly head of the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) whose [failings](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9783818/NHS-chief-executive-faces-calls-to-resign-over-Mid-Staffordshire-report.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) over Mid-Staffs (leading to calls for Nicholson's resignation) were publicised partly as a result of the [controversial ](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26329750?ref=opendemocracy.net)"HSMR" death rate figures Tim Kelsey's Dr Foster outfit produced - with [Jarman's help](http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/aug/07/nhs-health?ref=opendemocracy.net).

Nice to see them all sticking together!