Nurses blowing the whistle on poor care

In light of the care failings at Mid Stafford hospital, raising concerns and effective complaint handling within the health and social care sector has become a priority. This briefing showcases the Norwegian system of reporting and handling complaints and the legislation in place to support staff who speak out against poor care and practice. A positive and open whistleblowing culture exists in Norway where employees feel empowered to report wrongdoings. The Norwegian example offers some learning opportunities for England, specifically in handling complaints comprehensively, fostering an open workplace culture and having a strong nursing presence at board level. 

The care failings and appalling practice at Mid Staffordshire Hospital brought to light the systemic breakdowns in identifying early warning signs and inconsistencies in the reporting culture that sometimes exist within the English National Health Service (NHS), especially when it comes to raising concerns against poor care and unprofessional behaviour. The Francis public inquiry report stresses the importance of transforming culture and attitudes, developing robust safeguarding strategies and implementing effective complaint handling and recording systems. The report also calls for an end to the "gagging clauses‟ that limit public disclosures, and instead to foster a culture of openness, transparency and legally binding duty of candour1. The Department of Health has commissioned Donald Berwick to lead a review and report on making "zero harm‟ a reality within the NHS.

If we are to effectively improve existing national and local whistleblowing procedures, there is merit in learning from good practices in other health care systems and utilising this learning to inform health policy and practice. For example, whistleblowing procedures in Norway have helped to create a culture of openness and transparency, where health professionals are empowered to raise concerns with minimal fear of reprisal and a strong trade union voice is present at board level with an equal vote on all board decisions. This briefing will outline the mechanisms (system, organisational and legislative procedures) behind this reporting culture in Norway and identify lessons in effective complaint handling that will be useful for England.

For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk