Whistleblowing is the process of raising concerns about patient safety or other harm. Everyone benefits if concerns can be raised early and dealt with promptly and professionally.
Updated whistleblowing standards were introduced in all NHS Boards across Scotland from 1 April 2021, including in NHS Forth Valley. These build on previous arrangements and include the creation of a new Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) which forms part of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
The standards cover all NHS Forth Valley staff, staff working in primary care services (GP and dental practices, pharmacies and opticians), staff from partner organisations or contractors who work with or provide services on behalf of NHS Forth Valley (e.g. Serco) as well as bank and agency staff, students, trainees and volunteers.
The focus of the new national whistleblowing policy in NHS Scotland is to:
- help staff raise concerns as early as possible, and
- support and provide protection for staff when they raise concerns.
The aim is to support a culture which is open, just and fair and one where staff feel confident, supported and protected to speak up if they have any concerns.
Everyone benefits if concerns can be raised early and dealt with promptly and professionally. Training is available for anybody who provides services on behalf of the NHS in Scotland, including students, contractors and volunteers. You can find out more and access the training on Turas.
How to raise a concern
Using existing processes and policies
In many cases, concerns can be resolved through informal conversations with colleagues and managers, and through ordinary or ‘business as usual’ processes (such as incident reporting systems or raising an issue in a shift handover meeting). All staff are therefore encouraged to raise any concerns using existing processes which may vary depending on your employer. In NHS Forth Valley staff can continue to raise any concerns with their line manager, in the first instance.
They can also seek support and advice from HR, staff-side representatives and occupational health, in line with existing policies and procedures. Details of the support available to staff and copies of current national and local policies (including the Bullying and Harassment Policy and Grievance Policy) can be found in the HR Connect section of NHS Forth Valley’s staff intranet.
In addition, HR Connect has a range of employment information and advice. Staff can also ask questions specific to their own employment circumstances by contacting the HR Operational team through the HR Connect help desk which is open daily and available to all staff either by email on fv.hrconnect@nhs.scot or by telephone on 0330 041 4694 (Option 2).
Using the Whistleblowing Standards
If concerns have still not been resolved or you wish to raise a concern directly using the whistleblowing standards please see the local guide (below) which sets out the arrangements and procedures in NHS Forth Valley.
Concerns can be raised under Stage 1 of the whistleblowing process which aims to resolve the issues through local resolution or Stage 2 of the process if the concerns are relate to more serious or complex issues that need investigation.
You can also email fv.whistleblowing@nhs.scot or call 01324 566415.
Speak Up Service and Confidential Contacts
A number of Speak Up Ambassadors have also been appointed to support the new whistleblowing standards and provide wider support, guidance and advice to local staff. Speak Up Ambassadors also act as confidential contacts to provide a safe space for you to discuss your concerns and to give you the information you need. They will have the knowledge and skills to help you to raise your concern with the appropriate manager.
To find out more more about the Speak Up service, including details of our local Speak Up Ambassadors and Advocates visit the Speak Up section of the website.
Bringing your complaint to the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO)
The INWO will investigate complaints and, where needed, recommend action for the NHS organisation to take.
In addition to complaints, the INWO has a national leadership role providing support and guidance to NHS organisations, focusing on appropriate early resolution, and good practice in whistleblowing handling, recording, reporting, learning and improvement. The ultimate aim is to ensure that patients received a good, safe service from a well-run NHS in Scotland.
The INWO is the final stage of the process for those raising concerns.
The INWO can consider complaints about:
- Any actions taken by your organisation in response to your concerns
- Whether your organisation followed the process laid out in the Standards
- How you were treated during and after you raised a concern
- How the organisation supports a culture of speaking up
The INWO is able to investigate complaints and, if appropriate, carry out an external review to come to a decision. If you are unhappy with a decision on your complaint, you will have an opportunity to provide comments and express why you feel the decision is not correct.
More information about the Independent Whistleblowing Officer and their role can be found on the INWO website. You can also contact the national advice line free on 0800 008 6112 (from 9am-1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 12-4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays) or via email inwo@spso.gov.scot.