Latest News: see new whistleblowing resources
Speaking up for a healthy NHS will help employers to build a culture where staff feel able to raise concerns about malpractice or potential risks to patient safety.
New whistleblowing resources
Following the publication last year of Speak up for a healthy NHS, a new toolkit has been produced in partnership with the SPF to support employers with their communication to staff about raising concerns at work. The toolkit includes posters, postcards and business cards that organisations can download, customise and print locally. Further information can be found on the NHS Employers’ website. NHS Employers is also carrying out a short online survey to assess employers’ knowledge and practice of implementing whistleblowing arrangements that meet current good practice guidelines.
'Speaking up for a healthy NHS'
The guide has been commissioned by the Social Partnership Forum and written by the independent whistleblowing charity, Public Concern at Work. It looks at what is expected of NHS boards and their executives, and the support available from the Department of Health and Public Concern at Work. It sets out simple steps to help employers ensure their whistleblowing arrangements work.
The guide contains a number of sections including:
- a step by step guide to implementing or reviewing whistleblowing arrangements
- how to check you whistleblowing arrangements
- a practical guide for managers on handling whistleblowing
- case studies intended for use in team or staff briefings to help communicate the key policy messages and to engage staff in the roll-out of the policy
- model policy templates and letters to staff to communicate your whistleblowing policy.
The guide was launched at the NHS Confederation conference on 25 June 2010 where the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley underlined his commitment to high standards of clinical care and governance. Commenting on the launch of the guide, Andrew Lansley said:
"Publication of this guide is an important step in developing a culture of patient safety. NHS staff need to be free to raise concerns and shielded from any backlash. To make sure staff know about their rights, and are supported, the local NHS must champion this guide in their own organisations."
Download a copy of the guide.
The Social Partnership Forum issued a press release to mark the launch of the guidance. See a copy on our press release pages.