NHS still fails to protect whistleblowers, MPs say

In a report out last month, MPs representing the Health Select Committee have said that the way whistleblowers within the National Health Service are treated means trust in the system has been undermined.

They go on to say that serious short-comings still exist in complaint handling and whistleblowing procedures despite the fact that numerous previous inquiries and reports have highlighted these repeatedly in the past.

 
In a damning statement they said that “the treatment of whistleblowers is a stain on the reputation of the NHS” and that the “courageous individuals affected” have suffered “unwarranted, inexcusable pain”.

 
Former NHS whistleblower Dr Kim Holt welcomed the report as a first step in making much-needed changes to the National Health Service. He commented that the suggestion of looking at historical whistleblower cases was particularly pleasing, adding “we no longer want to see people on long-term suspensions, sick leave or dismissed for speaking up.”

 
The MPs had suggested that historical whistleblower’s whose actions had been proven to have been vindicated should receive not only an apology, but also ‘practical redress’ which could mean anything from financial compensation to in some cases getting their job back.

 
Dr Holt, who went on to found the Patients First charity, was the whistleblower that highlighted unsafe practices at St Anne’s Hospital, Haringey, the hospital where ‘Baby P’ would later tragically die after being seen by an inexperienced doctor. The news was not all bad however. The committee did identify that some attempts had been made to encourage staff to raise concerns while ensuring that these are properly responded to – however, it did say that these initiatives were so rare that potential whistleblowers may still be being put off from coming forward and reporting issues that should not go unnoticed.

 
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