Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to protect whistleblowers in the NHS.

The Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, gives employees protection against unfair dismissal and detriment in employment on the basis that they have made a protected disclosure, as well as a right to seek remedy through an employment tribunal where this occurs. Separate regulations also protect National Health Service job applicants from discrimination on the grounds they have made a protected disclosure in the past.

In addition to legal protections, there is a range of support in place for NHS workers who wish to report concerns, including local Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, a National Freedom to Speak Up policy, and support from independent organisations such as Speak Up Direct.

Through delivery of the 10‑Year Health Plan, we will ensure that the Care Quality Commission, as part of its existing inspection and regulatory responsibilities, takes account of whether NHS providers have effective Freedom to Speak Up arrangements, where this forms a relevant line of enquiry. Where relevant, this includes whether providers have effective whistleblowing arrangements in place and whether staff feel able to raise concerns safely without fear of detriment.