The Pursuit of Common Values Health care in the UK is seen to be failing, if not causing harm to, that which it is supposed to care for. Several reviews of care of patients published in 2013 describe unnecessary suffering in clinical settings and in care homes. Reports document higher than expected mortality rates, examples of neglect and abuse, poor quality care on a large scale and evidence that the lived experiences of patients and staff have been effaced, devalued or misrecognised. Indeed, 2013 has been called the ‘annus horribilis’ for the NHS, which is frequently referred to as ‘in crisis’. (Triggle, 2013) One widely used explanation for the documented poor care is that there has been a lack of common values in care practices. This has been closely related to an aim to promote ‘compassion in healthcare’. (Francis, 2013; Hunt, 2013; de Zulueta, 2013) Numerous public statements, articles, reports and recommendations reinforce the pursuit of common values. Adopting a science and technology studies approach this paper critically engages with the concept of ‘common values’ and asks: Is the pursuit of common values at the expense of attention to other factors? Are common values sustainable? Moreover, are common values desirable in care practices?