To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that whistle-blowers in the NHS remain anonymous.
Answered on
30 June 2015
The Department of Health funds a freephone, independent whistleblowing helpline service, which has set out guidance on whistleblowing for health and social care organisations.
In addition the Department for Business Innovation and Skills issues whistleblowing guidance for employers.
Both of these documents set out advice and best practice to employers in regard to whistleblowers’ wishes for confidentiality or to remain anonymous when whistleblowing.
The Department of Health remains committed to ensuring that the National Health Service supports whistleblowing and wishes to see a culture in the NHS where whistleblowers feel able to come forward and raise genuine concerns in the public interest about patient safety without fear of repercussion or reprisal. This is why the Department commissioned Sir Robert Francis QC to lead the Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) review into creating an open and honest reporting culture in the NHS. Following the publication of the FTSU report in February the Department ran a public consultation on a package of measures arising from the recommendations, principles and actions set out in the FTSU report. The consultation response is due to be published shortly.