07.07.16
CQC appoints new whistleblowing guardian
The new national guardian for safeguarding whistleblowers in the NHS has been announced as Dr Henrietta Hughes, the medical director for NHS England’s North Central and East London region.
The role was established at the beginning of this year following the recommendations of a 2014 report by Sir Robert Francis, which found that significant numbers of NHS staff are afraid to speak up about poor care.
However, Dr Hughes’ predecessor, Dame Eileen Sills, stepped down after just two months, saying the demands of the role were incompatible with her existing position as chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ foundation trust.
Dr Hughes said: “It requires a great deal of courage, honesty, and selflessness to 'blow the whistle'. People should never feel that they are at risk of punishment when advocating better and safer care for patients.
“As a practising GP and with my experience in the NHS, both on the frontline and at leadership levels, I understand the challenges that lie ahead.
“Together with my office, the growing network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in NHS trusts, our national partners, and anyone else who has an interest in supporting and protecting staff who wish to speak up, I look forward to driving forward this agenda of openness.”
Dr Hughes will take up the role in October 2016, which will involve overseeing the national network of ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ guardians at NHS trusts and developing good practice for dealing with whistleblowers.
A recent CQC consultation about the post raised concerns about the fact that it doesn’t include social care and doesn’t have statutory powers.
One of NHS Improvement’s first actions after it was established was to publish the first national policy to protect whistleblowers.
David Behan, chief executive of the CQC, said: “I am very pleased that Henrietta has accepted the position of National Guardian.
“The need for the NHS to have a positive reporting culture, which encourages and supports its staff to raise concerns about care without fear of reprimand has been stressed time and time again and now must become common practice.
“The role requires strong leadership, trust and a clear understanding of the NHS and the challenges its staff face in raising concerns. I am confident Henrietta will bring all of these qualities in abundance as the National Guardian and I look forward to working with her in this capacity.”
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.