Dr Nicholl is encouraging Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) members and supporters, as well as MPs and those with an interest in whistleblowing to attend events in Westminster as part of Whistleblower Awareness Week.

Whistleblowers UK has organised two events which may be of specific interest to DAUK members.

The first is titled Meet the whistleblowers: Exploring the issues and agreeing the solutions. It takes place from 1pm to 2.30pm on Wednesday 23 October.

The second is called Duty of candour and whistleblowing, and is being held from 10am to 11.30am on Thursday 24 October. Both events are in House of Lords Committee Room 4A.

These events will be an opportunity to meet people who have blown the whistle and hear how their experience changed their lives.

Lord Berkeley, vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Whistleblowing, will chair a discussion on the problems with existing legislation and why it does not work, what needs to change and why they support the Whistleblowing Bill.

Dr Nicholl said: “Being able to highlight concerns and wrongdoings in the NHS on matters of public interest is absolutely crucial to the service.

“Failings can affect patient care, staff safety, and cost the NHS huge sums of money in claims.

“The freedom to speak up for staff and patient safety is vital to achieving a just culture in the NHS.

“But despite the clear benefits of whistleblowing, all too often those who speak out do so in spite of the fear of reprisal from employers.

Independent Office for the Whistleblower

“This is why we need an Independent Office for the Whistleblower and reform of the law with the new Whistleblowing Bill.”

For more information about these events and to book a free place, click here.

Finally we would encourage DAUK members and supporters to contact their Members of Parliament to attend via https://www.writetothem.com

Support the work of DAUK by donating to our Go Fund Me.

Dr Nicholl was taking part in a panel discussion on the subject of Whistleblowing in the NHS.

He spoke about recent work and surveys by the Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) to help doctors across the UK shine a light on the issue of physician associates.

“There was a real fear among people that they could couldn’t speak within their organisations,” he said.

“Junior doctors were really nervous about being identified.”

DAUK is working with Whistleblowers UK – a not for profit organisation which aims to change how society thinks about whistleblowing.

The work aims to reframe whistleblowing, seek reform of UK legislation, and call for better protections for those who highlight issues in the NHS.

Speaking at the symposium, which was supported by DAUK and City University Journalism Department, Dr Nicholl said: “I would argue, and this is something that DAUK are arguing with Whistleblowers UK, that there needs to be reform.

“PIDA (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) we don’t think is fit for purpose, and there should be an Independent Office for the Whistleblower.”

The MJA symposium heard a range of presentations including from Dr Ravi Jayaram, who spoke about raising concerns and not being heard.

There were talks on how journalists deal with sensitive leaked information and how they build trust, as well as fact checking, using data to build trust and working with whistleblowers.

Dr Lizzie Toberty, DAUK’s GP lead, said: “It was a brilliant day, with fascinating presenters and speakers who knew their subjects inside out.

“There was lots of interesting and lively debate and discussion, lots of information to digest and to take away, and lots of networking and new contacts being made.

“Medical journalists play a vital role in communicating the workings of healthcare and medicine, and everything that goes with that, and we at DAUK were really pleased to be able to collaborate with the Medical Journalists’ Association.”

Emma Wilkinson vice-chair of the MJA who put the programme together said: “The speakers had so much wisdom and experience to share, and it prompted some incredible questions and discussion, as well as ideas for areas ripe for future investigation.

“It has also encouraged me to reflect on my own work and how I approach sensitive stories and conversations.”

In calling for protections to be strengthened Dr Parmar cited the countless emails and messages that the Doctors’ Association UK have received from frontline doctors with concerns. The meeting had a keytone address from whistleblower and Consultant Cardiologist Dr Raj Mattu. Speaking at the meeting, Dr Rinesh Parmar Chair of the Doctors’ Association UK said:

“COVID-19 has exposed and really shone a light on the current void in whistleblowing protection for healthcare workers.

Colleagues have raised concerns about the availability of PPE and testing and have faced detriment and disciplinary action.

A true freedom to speak up is vital for patient and staff safety, there is still a long way to go to achieve a just culture in the NHS.”

He spoke about how the Doctors’ Association UK during the first wave of the pandemic became the voice of frontline doctors, providing a platform for them to share their concerns safely. The creation of the NHSPPE App facilitated the raising of concerns anonymously.

“There is a perverse system at play which targets the whistleblower and their credibility, shifting focus away from the serious patient safety concern that has been raised. The reality is that patients are not safer and the issue is just brushed under the carpet.”

He spoke of the work being done by DAUK on the Learn Not Blame campaign as well as our support for the reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) and the calls for an independent Office for the Whistleblower.

Dr Jenny Vaughan spoke about her role with Learn Not Blame as well as some of the work being done by the Royal College of Physicians. Dr David Nicholl spoke about his own personal experiences of being a whistleblower about concerns over drug shortages and operation yellowhammer.