Department of Health and Social Care
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Lansley launches free whistleblowing helpline service
NHS and social care staff who have concerns about patient care will be able to access a new, free whistleblowing helpline from the 1 January, Health Secretary Andrew said today.
The launch means that, for the first time, the helpline will be available to staff and employers in the social care sector, as well as the NHS, via a now-free phone service.
The free whistleblowing helpline is funded by the Government and is part of the Government’s drive to tackle poor practice. This is in addition to the introduction of a contractual duty to raise concerns, which will be enshrined in the new NHS Constitution.
Andrew Lansley said:
"Staff on the frontline know when patient services need
to improve. That's why staff who blow the whistle are
crucial in helping to raise standards, and we’re determined to
support them.
“Making it easier for staff to challenge the
institutional power of organisations is a key factor in
preventing, identifying and tackling pockets of culturally poor
practice. That’s why we’ve created a helpline service for
concerned staff, which, from 1 January, will be completely free
and available to those in the NHS and social care
sector.
"This will play an important role in creating
a culture where staff will be able to raise genuine concerns in
good faith, without fear of reprisal.”
A similar web-based whistleblowing service is also being developed, with further details to be announced in due course.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. From 01 January 2012, the new helpline number will be 08000
724 725. Provided by the Royal Mencap Society, the service will
operate weekdays between 08.00-18.00, and an out of hours
answering service will be available weekends and public
holidays.
2. For further information, contact the Department
of Health Press Office on 020 7210 5211.
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk
