New legislaton to protect NHS whistleblowers’ approved

By The Press Association12th March 2015News EnglandNews England, NHS, Whistleblowing

New laws to protect NHS whistleblowers have been approved by peers.

The move to outlaw NHS organisations discriminating against people who speak out in the public interest was recommended in a review by Sir Robert Francis QC.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered the review on the issue after Sir Robert led two inquiries in to failures at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and found there were “appalling consequences for patients when there is a ‘closed ranks’ culture”.

The House of Lords accepted an amendment to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill which will give ministers the right to make regulations to ban the discrimination.

Business minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said Sir Robert’s report “recommended that the Government review the protection to those who make protected disclosures with a view to including discrimination in recruitment by employers”.

She added: “We are convinced, based on Sir Robert’s findings, that blacklisting applicants for NHS jobs because they are whistleblowers causes a very serious injustice.

“They are effectively excluded from the ability to work again in their chosen field. Where NHS staff raise concerns they can save lives and they can prevent harm and that is why we are taking this opportunity to protect whistleblowers seeking employment in the NHS.”

Shadow health minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath backed the Government amendment.

He said: “It is clear there is a pressing need for a transparent and open culture in which the protection of whistleblowers is an important element.”

But he backed a move by Labour ex-minister Lord Wills to make the move extend beyond the NHS. Lord Wills’ amendment was defeated by 231 votes to 174, Government majority 57.