25.06.14
Francis to lead whistleblowing inquiry
Sir Robert Francis QC is to review NHS whistleblowing to ensure those too scared to speak out can safely do so.
The government-commissioned review has come about because of claims that a ‘culture of fear’ persists, despite the recommendations of Sir Robert’s review and others since.
Many staff have contacted him personally with concerns or to say they feel unable to blow the whistle on poor care at their own organisations.
He explained: “Since the inquiry I have had a lot of people talk to me about a culture of fear that prevents people speaking up.
“Every time a whistleblower is treated badly or says they have been treated badly, many people are deterred from speaking up.
“Where those brave enough to speak out have been victimised, I’d like to look at what more could be done to remedy the wrongs which have been done.”
Helene Donnelly, the former Stafford Hospital nurse who suffered bullying for trying to raise concerns there, will also have a role in the review.
Jennie Fecitt, a nurse who helped set up NHS whistleblowing campaign group Patients First, told the Daily Mail: ‘You’re very alone when you blow the whistle. When you raise concerns about patient safety in the NHS, the organisation takes this up as an employment issue. They then find a way of ‘exiting’ that person. They either get removed over capability issues, on employment issues or they are just made redundant.”
Sir Robert hopes to report back by November.
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