NHS Scotland whistleblowing helpline criticised

A review of the NHS Scotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL) has raised concerns over the effectiveness of a whistleblowing helpline for NHS Scotland.

The report cited that calls to the confidential alert service has failed by 75 per cent since it was set up in 2014, as part of a wider package of measures to support NHS staff.

The Public Concerns at Work (PCaW) has been paid over £50,000 to run the alert line since April 2014, but only received 73 calls during the first six months of service.

The review indicated that: half of calls to the helpline related to patient safety - six of those involved unsafe staffing levels and poor clinical practice; one call related to the abuse of a vulnerable person; callers included five nurses, two GPs, three paramedics and a dentist; and one caller said they were dismissed from their job for raising a concern.

Dr Jane Hamilton, who formerly worked for the NHS Scotland, called for the establishment of an wholly independent service with investigatory powers.

She said: ”The bottom line is if it's not independent and it has no powers, no statutory powers to investigate, then how can it be of any use at all?"

Health Secretary Shona Robison, said: "All staff should have the confidence to speak up without fear and with the knowledge that any genuine concern will be treated seriously and investigated properly.

"The NHS confidential alert line provides a safe place where they can confidentially raise any concerns they may have about malpractice and wrongdoing in NHS Scotland.

"Increasingly, callers have raised their concern internally first, which may suggest staff feel more confident using internal procedures.

"The alert line sits alongside the wider package of measures we have developed over the past few years to support NHS staff.

"Work is also under way to establish the independent national whistleblowing officer who will provide external review on the handling of whistleblowing cases in NHS Scotland."