NHS: Whistleblowing

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Tuesday 30th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right. The duty of candour, which puts an obligation on organisations to show candour, is making a difference. I congratulate the GMC and the NMC, which have spelled out clearly in their codes that the professional duty of candour is equally important.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton (CB)]

My Lords, if one was going to whistleblow, who would one contact?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

There are a number of organisations that the noble Baroness might wish to contact, but most important is to raise the matter first in the local organisation. All organisations should have their own whistleblowing procedures, and that is the right way to raise concerns. If any individual finds that not to be satisfactory, the right way to proceed is through the Care Quality Commission, which has a dedicated hotline in its service centre in Newcastle.