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Commission demands whistleblower policy adopted by NHS Trusts

In the UK the government watchdog, The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), says that NHS trusts vary enormously in the adherence to government advice on whistleblowing and the raising of concerns by staff.

A government circular now (July 2001) nearly two years old requires National Health Service Trusts to have a named individual that staff can raise concerns with confidentially, and have a clear commitment to address the concerns without victimisation (as required by the Public Interest Disclsosure Act). The CHI inspects Trusts and, not surprisingly, has found that some of them are ignorant of the provisions and had not informed staff. Others have got good policies.

CHI recently inspected Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and reported that although a whistleblowing policy was in place "staff either did not know about the policy or would not feel safe using it." The report continued: "Little progress has been made to esnure staff feel safe to raise concerns."

20Aug2001