The idea of trying to create a zero-harm culture has come out of a global recognition that some patients needlessly suffer or die in hospital because of errors.
"The future of France in the family of great nations depends on our capacity for initiative - a value totally at variance with an enarque culture based on zero risk and suspicious of any idea of competition or power-sharing, " they said.
Mr Hunt said he wanted to embed a culture of "zero harm and compassionate care" throughout the NHS. Mr Hunt said the onus would be on hospital boards, but that consideration was being given to making individual doctors and nurses criminally responsible for covering up errors.