16.10.12
Whistle-blowing charter promotes openness within the NHS
The new ‘Speaking Up’ charter launched today aims to encourage NHS workers to raise concerns without fear of reprisals.
Developed by NHS Employers and signed by 28 healthcare bodies, the charter has been established to promote and open and fair way of raising concerns, allowing for better health and working conditions within the NHS.
The initiative aims to reduce public concern over NHS conditions, by enabling NHS workers to report problems through the appropriate bodies and promoting more efficient quality control measures.
The charter commits organisations to six commitments: to work in partnership with other organisations to develop a positive, fair culture; adhere to principles of the charter to foster a culture of openness; share expertise to break down barriers to reporting incidents and concerns early on; exchange information in the interests of patient and public safety; signpost individuals to support and guidance; and highlight issues where the current law may restrict those who wish to raise a concern.
Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers organisation, commented: “NHS organisations subscribe to the values of the NHS Constitution, which makes it clear that patient safety and care depends on staff being able to report misconduct or malpractice without fear of victimisation.”
Cathy Warwick, chief executive of Royal College of Midwives, added: “It is crucial for the safety of women and babies that midwives can publicly raise legitimate concerns about any aspects of the service they deliver and work in, if all the official channels have been exhausted without the concerns being listened to and acted upon.”
And Christina McAnea, head of health at UNISON, said it was “vital” that staff have the confidence to speak up over concerns with patient care or staff safety. She said: “This charter will add a new level of protection for those patients as well as for staff.”
Chief executive of National Voices, Jeremy Taylor, urged all health and care organisations to make sure the charter is used in practice.
The charter has been signed by the following organisations:
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, British Association of Occupational Therapists, British Dental Association, British Dietetic Association, British Medical Association, British Orthoptic Society, Care Quality Commission, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Federation of Clinical Scientists, General Dental Council, General Medical Council, General Municipal and Boilermakers, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Hospital Consultations and Specialists Association, Managers in Partnership, NHS Employers, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Royal Mencap Society, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, Society of Radiographers, Unison, and Unite.
The full charter can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/SpeakingUpCharter
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