Accountability is a key concern for nurses and midwives in the NHStoday. Professional accountability––being responsible for youractions and for the outcomes of these actions––is part of theframework of clinical governance, which aims to provide goodquality, cost–effective, evidence–based care.rnThe second edition of Accountability in Nursing and Midwiferyaddresses current issues and key concerns in accountability,focusing on accountability in the four main branches of nursing(adult, child, learning disabilities and mental health), as well asin midwifery, community nursing, and nursing management. In anincreasingly litigious society, the ethical and legal implicationsof accountability are growing and it is important that nursesunderstand the implications for everyday practice.