Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of implementing mandatory reporting mechanisms for staff who suspect criminal or negligent behaviour.

No assessment has been made.

Healthcare staff have a professional duty, in accordance with the guidance of their respective regulatory bodies, to act if they have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practise, or that patient safety may be put at risk. The Government supports the right of staff working in the National Health Service to speak up and has put in place measures to support staff to raise a concern, including legal protections for whistle-blowers.