Whistleblowing: health (England and Wales)
Updating author: Julie Steele
Consultant editor: Capsticks
Summary
- In April 2016, NHS Improvement published a national NHS whistleblowing policy. (See National NHS whistleblowing policy)
- A contractual right and duty exists for NHS staff to raise concerns about serious risks at work that are in the public interest. (See Agenda for Change)
- The NHS Constitution includes whistleblowing provisions. (See The NHS Constitution and whistleblowing)
- In 2017, NHS Improvement launched a pilot whistleblowers' support scheme to support whistleblowers to find alternative employment in the NHS. (See Whistleblowers' support scheme)
- From April 2016, the National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for the NHS operates to support and advise local Freedom to Speak Up guardians across NHS trusts. (see National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian)
- NHS Employers has published guidance on the use of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements (See Use of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements)
- The GMC and NHS Employers have published guidance on whistleblowing for GPs. (See Guidance for GPs)
- Student nurses and student midwives are within the scope of the legislative whistleblowing protection. (See Whistleblowing protection for student nurses and student midwives)
- From 23 May 2018, job applicants to the NHS are brought within the scope of the legislative whistleblowing protection. (See Whistleblowing protection for applicants to the NHS)
- Specified employers are required to report annually on whistleblowing disclosures received by them. (See Annual requirement to report on whistleblowing)
- The NHS has worked closely with Public Concern at Work to support the development of whistleblowing policies and procedures. (See Public Concern at Work)
- The Wales Audit Office provides guidance on whistleblowing in NHS Wales. (See NHS Wales and whistleblowing)