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MSPs back whistleblowing plan in wake of NHS Highland bullying

Lewis Macdonald MSP
Lewis Macdonald MSP

MSPs have backed plans for a health service whistleblowing officer in the wake of the bullying scandal at NHS Highland.

Members of Holyrood’s Health Committee gave their support to Scottish Government plans for the creation of a new role to provide a route for health board staff to bring complaints to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).

The new regulations would give the SPSO power to take on the role as Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO).

The proposed approach follows concerns of a bullying culture at NHS Highland, outlined in the ‘Sturrock Review’ as well as more recent concerns that have emerged in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

The review by John Sturrock QC found that potentially hundreds of NHS Highland staff had suffered “fear, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour” at work.

Lewis Macdonald MSP, Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, said: “The committee is satisfied that installing this role of national whistleblowing officer with the SPSO is the correct approach.

“It’s impossible to say whether this new approach would have prevented the serious issues in NHS Highland, although it could have mitigated some of them.

“We must be clear that this new SPSO role will not solve the issue completely.

“The government must ensure all NHS staff can have confidence that any concerns they raise will be dealt with effectively, and in an independent and confidential manner.

“It is only through a range of initiatives that confidence can be rebuilt and cultures improved which would ensure the safety and wellbeing of all NHS staff and patients.”

A health committee report into the issue included a call for the Scottish Government to extend provisions so that all social work whistleblowing complaints go to the INWO to investigate.

MSPs on the committee recommended the Scottish Government ask the UK Government to have MSPs added as ‘prescribed persons’.

Having prescribed person status gives an individual the right not to be treated unfairly or dismissed after whistleblowing in the public interest.