Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the review of the Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), what plans they have to (1) ensure the protection of whistleblowers, (2) take action to restore confidence in the operation of that CCG, and (3) refresh that CCG's decision-making structure.

NHS England commissioned an independent assessment of the Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) leadership and culture as part of their role as the CCG’s regulator. The independent assessor did not uncover any issues on whistleblowing therefore the report does not make recommendations on their approach to whistleblowing. However, NHS England are always keen to learn and improve how we listen and respond to staff.

Sheffield CCG takes all concerns raised by staff very seriously and invites anyone who has concerns to raise them under its Freedom to Speak Up: Raising Concerns (Whistleblowing) Policy and/or Dignity at work (prevention of bullying and harassment) policy. The CCG encourages staff to speak up and is committed to dealing with them responsibly and professionally.

NHS England will be developing an improvement plan, with input from staff and partners, to systematically address all the issues in the report.