NHS still ‘too dangerous for whistleblowers’

Dr Kim Holt, who raised fears about staff shortages, heavy workloads and “chaotic” practices, said “staff can end up at risk of losing their job if an employer decides that is what they need to do to keep the truth out of the public domain.”

She raised her concerns at the official launch of Patients First, a group set up to lobby the UK Government to create policies and laws that ensure the NHS becomes more open and accountable.

Dr Holt said: “Whistleblowers should be championed in the health service, not served with gagging clauses and compromise agreements to make problems go away, ensure targets are met and allow employment lawyers to get paid. “It is too dangerous in the majority of NHS trusts to whistleblow. There is currently nowhere to go within the NHS to receive proper support and protection.”