23.10.13
Whistleblowers ‘very brave’ – Prior
Whistleblowing in the NHS still requires great bravery, CQC chairman David Prior has stated. The Health Select Committee took evidence from the organisation yesterday, and heard how no senior staff spoke up about the failings at Mid Staffs.
Prior agreed that the current situation meant that speaking out about your organisation meant “you are finished” and needed to be changed.
He told the committee: “One of the things I’ve learnt over the past six months is to be a whistleblower you’ve got to be very, very brave. I’ve spoken to a couple of surgeons who are alpha male types whose careers have been severely limited because they expressed concerns about what was going on in their hospitals.
“The most chilling phrase, after the Francis Report into Mid Staffs, was a very distinguished clinician saying ‘Where were the doctors?’.”
Care home residents could also be told in writing where their home is failing, he suggested.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]