Understanding Whistleblowing in National Health Service
Whistleblowing in the National Health Service involves reporting concerns about risks, dangers, or wrongdoings within the organization. The act of whistleblowing is essential for public interest and legal compliance. Learn about the definition, legislation, and challenges faced by whistleblowers in this informative content provided by the Speak Up Helpline and Website. Explore real cases, the history of whistleblowing legislation, and the importance of having a whistleblowing policy in place.
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Staff Workshop National Health Service
Overview What is whistleblowing? Know how to raise concerns appropriately and in line with legal requirements Know where to go for help and support 2 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Whistleblowing Definition of whistleblowing: The act of reporting a concern about a risk, danger or wrongdoing in an organisation Often called blowing the whistle or formally known as making a disclosure in the public interest 3 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Whistleblowing legislation arose out of a spate of scandals and disasters in the 1980s and early 1990s. Background Inquiries found that workers had been aware of the danger but too scared to raise the alarm or had done so in the wrong way. High profile examples included: Clapham Rail disaster an inspector didn t want to rock the boat Zeebrugge Ferry tragedy staff concerns ignored by management Collapse of Barings Bank an inquiry found nobody dared to speak up 4 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Media Cases There have been a number of high profile cases much more recently, including: Harold Shipman murders Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust 5 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Whistleblowing Do you have a whistleblowing policy? Do you know where to find it? What do you think it might feel like to be a whistleblower? Why is it hard to raise a concern? 6 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Legislation The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) is the key piece of whistleblowing legislation Workers can make a claim to an Employment Tribunal if they are treated badly or dismissed. There is no need to have the normal qualifying service to do this 1 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Raising a Concern To gain protection a worker who makes a disclosure must believe two things: That they are acting in the public interest (2013) That they reasonably believe the disclosure tends to show past, present or likely future wrongdoing. The information being disclosed must be of the right type- qualifying disclosure The concern must also be raised in the correct way 1 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Grievance vs Disclosure Grievance Protected Disclosure Tends to be a issue about employment rights. The person wishes to complain about their treatment. They have a personal interest in ensuring the issue is addressed. Tends to be about malpractice or serious wrongdoing such as dangerous or criminal activity which affect others. vs 9 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Protection What type of information will qualify for protection? A criminal offence The breach of a legal obligation A miscarriage of justice A danger to the health and safety of any individual Damage to the environment Deliberate attempt to conceal any of the above 10 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Types of Concern Physical or emotional abuse Bullying Theft, fraud or bribery Abuse of power, position or authority Failure to treat people with dignity Financial mismanagement Worker must disclose facts not just opinions 11 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Read your policy The Right Way Can you raise your concern informally? Find out who you should raise your concerns with Be specific about dates and times Keep a note of raising your concerns, perhaps by an email afterwards stating you are raising concerns in line with PIDA. Keep a record of dates of meetings and what was discussed If you do not get a satisfactory response, escalate your concern If nothing is being done internally, you can go to the regulator you should believe your information is substantially true (suspicion is not enough) Take advice if you consider wider disclosures such as the police or the media 12 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Who is Protected? Employees Agency workers People that are training with an employer, but not employed From 6 April 2015 the list was extended to include: Student nurses Student midwives 13 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Confidentiality Often issues can be raised in confidence but may be made public (eg during legal, disciplinary or police investigations). Organisations should make every effort to keep identity a secret. Organisations should be clear about their position on anonymous reporting. This can also be difficult to investigate. Whistleblowers should be careful with confidential patient information if reporting outside their team or organisation and should not breach their professional code of practice. 14 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
What Would You Do? A new support worker on her first nightshift hears an elderly service user with dementia cry out when a worker goes over to them to tell them off for making a noise. She is not absolutely sure what happened but wants to discuss it with her manager. Is this a whistleblowing concern? You are the new support worker. What action would you take? 15 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Bullying & Harassment Employers can also be liable for the acts of co-workers who victimise or harass whistleblowers (unless the employer can prove they have taken reasonable steps to prevent this) Co-workers are personally liable if they subject a worker to bad treatment or victimisation because they have made a protected disclosure. 16 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Employee Duties PIDA does not obligate employees to raise concerns, however health and social care professionals will have a duty under their professional body The Statutory Duty of Candour The Government has introduced an explicit Duty of Candour as a CQC registration requirement placed on organisations. No candour-related offences on individuals-strengthened codes Terms and conditions of service NHS constitution Safeguarding Policies 17 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Advice & Support Telephone and email advice, signposting, support and guidance for the Health and Social Care Sector. Website tools, documents, guidance, updates: www.speakup.direct Raising Awareness networking, campaigns, events Other useful links: PCaW charity Trade Unions Professional Bodies e.g. Nursing & Midwifery Council ACAS employment advice Regulators e.g CQC, Ofsted, FSA etc www.gov.uk/whistleblowing 18 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
Further Information www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/hospitals-primary-community- care/learning-be-safer/raising-responding-concerns- whistleblowing www.speakup.direct 19 The Speak Up Helpline and Website are provided by Social Enterprise Direct Ltd on behalf of the Department of Health
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