What now for deprivations of liberty?
What will the effect of the postponement of the Liberty Protections Safeguards be on local authorities? Local Government Lawyer asked 50 adult social care lawyers for their views on the potential consequences.
SPOTLIGHT |
SPOTLIGHT |
All staff working in the NHS have a contractual right and duty to report genuine concerns about malpractice, patient safety or other serious risks that they consider in the public interest, the NHS Staff Council has agreed.
Under the agreement:
Greg Allen, employer side chair of the NHS Staff Council and Director of Human Resources & Workforce Development at NHS Devon, said NHS organisations must continue to take malpractice and wrongdoing seriously.
He added: “All staff should know that that they have a responsibility and obligation to their raise concerns responsibly without fear of discrimination or punishment. This agreement offers some straightforward and practical steps for local employers to promote and deliver a culture of openness."
Mike Jackson, Senior National Officer (Health) at Unison, insisted that putting effective whistle-blowing policies into hospitals would be a major step forward – “shining a light on malpractice and leading to better patient care”.
Jackson added: “We must create a climate where staff feel they are able to raise their concerns without the fear of reprisals. It is now down to local trusts and unions to put policies in place and make sure they work.”