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Healthcare Review Urges NHS to Appoint Whistleblower Guardians

© AFP 2023 / JUSTIN TALLISBritish Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt - Sputnik International
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Britain should appoint guardians at every National Health Service (NHS) organ to support whistleblowers.

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Britain needs to appoint guardians at every National Health Service (NHS) trust to back whistleblowers, and a national independent officer to assist the guardians, a review of reporting culture in UK public healthcare said Wednesday.

The 223-page review, commissioned by UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and titled Freedom to Speak Up, was released on Wednesday. Hunt responded to it earlier in the day.

"The creation of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians and an Independent National Officer in particular are key components," chief investigator Sir Robert Francis said listing recommendations for better patient care controls.

Prior to the release of the review Francis told the BBC that he was told some "frankly shocking stories" about medical personnel whose health "suffered" after they blew the whistle on NHS management.

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The review studied 600 accounts from health care workers and almost 20,000 responses to an online survey.

The report indicated loopholes in the UK laws regarding whistleblowing. He stressed protections often kick in after the damage has been done, including whistleblowers losing their jobs.

It uncovered "shocking stories" of people being bullied, persecuted, forced out of their jobs and driven to suicide after they lifted the lid on poor patient care.

Those most targeted for persecution following the disclosures are black and ethnic minority groups, fill-in workers, students and trainees, and staff working in primary care, the report indicated.

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The review was launched last June after continuing disquiet about the way NHS organizations dealt with concerns raised by NHS staff and the treatment of some of those who dared speak out.

Speaking on Sir Robert's findings in parliament, Health Secretary Hunt hit out at the "culture of delay-defend-and-deny" that branded whistleblowers as "snitchers, troublemakers and backstabbers". Hunt urged to end the practice of "bullying, intimidation and victimization" that, he said, had no place "in our NHS".

The NHS is the UK's publicly funded health care system. It comprises NHS England, Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales. Its largest unit, NHS England, has almost 1.3 million employees.

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