Safety alerts ignored by NHS while staff who speak out are ‘fired and blacklisted’ … leaving patients at risk
Staff are left 'deeply frustrated' their concerns are not taken seriously
NHS patients are at risk because inspectors ignore safety fears raised by staff, whistleblowers said last night.
Workers who speak out are “fired, gagged and blacklisted” while the health watchdog often fails to investigate their concerns.
A group of whistleblowers — including workers who warned about baby deaths at Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Mid Staffs scandal — have formed an alliance to call for action.
In a letter to The Times, they say watchdog the Care Quality Commission acts too slowly or not at all when contacted about unsafe practice.
They said staff were “deeply frustrated their disclosures have not resulted in safe change”.
Paediatrician Kim Holt, who exposed staff shortages at the clinic that failed to spot the abuse of Baby P, said: “The CQC know what’s happening, they have got all the information.
“They nod their heads and say, ‘That’s dreadful’ — but then don’t do anything about it.”
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The CQC said in a statement: “In the past six-month reporting period we have received 4,000 concerns raised by staff or ex-staff.
“Around ten per cent of these resulted in an inspection, around 40 per cent were noted for future inspections (some of which were already imminent), around 20 per cent were referred to other bodies, and in ten per cent of cases it was determined no action was required.
"The remainder remain under review.”