Nurses And Midwives To Receive Whistleblowing Guidance From Regulator, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 06 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Nurses and midwives are to have guidance to help them raise and escalate concerns in a way that won't get them into trouble with their regulator.

Since the summer we have been working with key professional and patient groups to develop information that will support nurses and midwives to raise and escalate concerns they may have that people could be at risk of harm.

At our council meeting, which for the first time for this Council was held in Scotland, members agreed the principles contained within the document which included seeking confidential and independent advice throughout the process of escalating a concern. The Council also agreed that the document should be published as guidance, requiring a 12 week UK-wide public consultation period starting in January 2010.

NMC project lead, Caroline Williams said:

"Nurses and midwives have a code of conduct they must follow. Within that code they have a duty to manage risk which could mean speaking out against a colleague. As many nurses and midwives work as part of a multidisciplinary team we recognise the difficulty they may sometimes face if they have a concern about a colleague's actions or behaviour or the environment of care.

"Our goal is to provide nurses and midwives with clear information about the steps they should be taking when raising or escalating a concern while acting within that code.

"However the guidance alone is not enough. There is a need for open and transparent policies at the local level and managers have a responsibility to support their staff and promote patient safety. We will be working closely with employer groups to acknowledge and promote the central role they have in creating an environment that is supportive of those who raise or escalate a concern."

In the meantime, nurses and midwives who are unsure about how to raise concerns in their workplace are advised to follow their employer's policy, or to seek confidential advice from their professional body, trade union or Public Concern at Work.

Source
The Nursing & Midwifery Council