Written Question · S4W-26923 · Session 4
What measures it (a) has introduced and (b) is planning to introduce to encourage NHS staff to raise concerns regarding the quality of care…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it (a) has introduced and (b) is planning to introduce to encourage NHS staff to raise concerns regarding the quality of care provided by NHS Scotland.
The answer
Much has already been done to develop an open and honest reporting culture in NHSScotland where staff are encouraged and supported to raise any genuine concerns they may have, particularly about quality of care and patient safety. This includes:
The introduction of the NHSScotland Staff Governance Standard which requires employers to ensure that it is safe and acceptable for staff to speak up about wrongdoing or malpractice within their organisation, particularly in relation to patient safety.
Development and publication of a national whistleblowing policy Implementing and Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHSScotland Partnership Information Network policy.
Launch of the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL), a dedicated service for NHS staff in Scotland, which provides a confidential service to staff should they have any doubt about whether or how to raise a concern, or worry about doing so. NCAL provides an additional safe space for staff to discuss their concerns with legally trained staff and, if appropriate, have these concerns passed to the appropriate regulatory body on their behalf.
Removal of the standard inclusion of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses from settlement agreements across NHSScotland, ensuring that staff entering into such an agreement are clear that this does not compromise their right to whistleblow.
Development of guidance for NHSScotland employees and employers on the appropriate use of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses in settlement agreements. This guidance has been developed in partnership and is due to be published later in 2015.
To further support the above, and in response to the recommendations from Sir Robert Francis’ ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ review, published earlier in 2015, the Scottish Government has also committed to:
Introducing non-executive whistleblowing champions in each NHSScotland board. The role, which has been developed in partnership, will act predominantly as an oversight and assurance mechanism, as well as a conduit to ensure that internal mechanisms within boards are working effectively to support whistleblowing arrangements and staff in raising concerns.
Developing and establishing an independent national officer to provide an independent and external level of review on the handling of whistleblowing cases. Detailed proposals on this role will be subject to a full public consultation later in 2015.
The introduction of the NHSScotland Staff Governance Standard which requires employers to ensure that it is safe and acceptable for staff to speak up about wrongdoing or malpractice within their organisation, particularly in relation to patient safety.
Development and publication of a national whistleblowing policy Implementing and Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHSScotland Partnership Information Network policy.
Launch of the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL), a dedicated service for NHS staff in Scotland, which provides a confidential service to staff should they have any doubt about whether or how to raise a concern, or worry about doing so. NCAL provides an additional safe space for staff to discuss their concerns with legally trained staff and, if appropriate, have these concerns passed to the appropriate regulatory body on their behalf.
Removal of the standard inclusion of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses from settlement agreements across NHSScotland, ensuring that staff entering into such an agreement are clear that this does not compromise their right to whistleblow.
Development of guidance for NHSScotland employees and employers on the appropriate use of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses in settlement agreements. This guidance has been developed in partnership and is due to be published later in 2015.
To further support the above, and in response to the recommendations from Sir Robert Francis’ ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ review, published earlier in 2015, the Scottish Government has also committed to:
Introducing non-executive whistleblowing champions in each NHSScotland board. The role, which has been developed in partnership, will act predominantly as an oversight and assurance mechanism, as well as a conduit to ensure that internal mechanisms within boards are working effectively to support whistleblowing arrangements and staff in raising concerns.
Developing and establishing an independent national officer to provide an independent and external level of review on the handling of whistleblowing cases. Detailed proposals on this role will be subject to a full public consultation later in 2015.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-26923 by reference.