ARTICLE
10 December 2024

Overdue Whistleblower Protection

BL
Bindmans LLP

Contributor

We are a highly successful London firm offering a range of specialist legal services to both individuals and businesses. Known for achieving excellent results for our clients, our solicitors offer the highest standards of accountability and commitment to defending our client’s interests.
In an effort to end the ‘culture of cover up' in the NHS, ministers are proposing a new framework which will punish NHS managers who deter whistleblowers from coming forward with their concerns.
United Kingdom Employment and HR

In an effort to end the 'culture of cover up' in the NHS, ministers are proposing a new framework which will punish NHS managers who deter whistleblowers from coming forward with their concerns or who threaten patients through misconduct. Measures include a professional duty of candour, potential barring from health service roles for serious misconduct and potentially being added to a voluntary accreditation register.

The proposed regulations aim to prevent managers with a history of misconduct from continuing to work in the NHS by simply moving to different hospitals.

Recent scandals including the investigation at Morecambe Bay, East Kent and Shrewsbury and Telford, highlight the need for cultural change within the NHS. Whistle-blowers have uncovered poor care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, where it was revealed that widespread neglect resulted in potentially 400 – 1,200 patient deaths between 2005 – 2009, which has since led to a public inquiry.

This reform is encouraging, provided it will assist in improving accountability, transparency and protecting patient safety.

Kiran Razak, paralegal in our medical team, assisted with this blog.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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