Blowing the whistle

Abstract

Tessa Meese, Editor-in-Chief, Dental Nursing Whistleblowing or ‘raising a concern’ in any job is difficult. However, as GDC registrants, we have a duty of care to ourselves and our patients to give the best and safest treatment and care as possible. Practices should have a policy that ensures processes are in place for a staff member to raise a concern (GDC, 2009). However, even if these polices are in place, would the staff member feel able to tell the ‘boss’ that their practice is falling short or potentially dangerous? I suspect not. Many dental nurses are females and mothers who work close to home. To be labelled a whistleblower could potentially, therefore, cause problems when and if you seek further employment. It shouldn’t, but it can and does. People often ask me during lectures about raising a concern and how they document it. I send an email to myself and include the details I have raised, with who and when. I then print off the email. This gives you a dated and timed document with the details of the conversation. However, this could always be challenged by the other party as fictitious. NHS Employers (2012), a private company which is part of the NHS Confederation, say: ‘Employers should adopt an honest and transparent approach to reporting errors internally with their staff, wherever possible and practical to do so, and embed this as part of the organisation’s culture. Adopting this type of holistic approach helps to create an environment which is conducive to promoting a climate of openness and where staff can feel comfortable in raising concerns, reasonably and responsibly, without fear of exposure or victimisation.’ To assist with this, a free helpline for whistleblowers in the NHS and social services was launched on 1 January 2012. The helpline (08000 724 725) will be provided by the Royal Mencap Society. It will operate Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm, and there also be an out-of-hours answering service at weekends and bank holidays. The move is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s drive to ensure staff can raise ‘genuine concerns’ about standards ‘without fear of reprisal’. Mr Lansley said staff who blow the whistle are ‘crucial’ in helping to raise standards and the Government was ‘determined to support them’. We, as responsible GDC registrants, should explore all internal avenues first to try and allay our concerns. However, it is reassuring to know that this helpline is there if all else fails. DN