Other 'brave' people can now speak out - Francis report findings
NHS whistleblowers from across the West Midlands have given mixed reactions to proposals aimed at ending a shocking culture of fear and intimidation that prevents health workers from speaking up about poor care.
Sir Robert Francis QC – who led two inquiries into failings at Stafford Hospital – has made a string of proposals aimed at giving whistleblowers more courage and confidence to speak up over poor care without fear of damaging their careers.
But the report – which included contributions from 19,000 health workers – does not recommend taking any action against NHS bosses who have hounded out whistleblowers in the past and created a culture of 'fear' that led some staff feeling 'suicidal'.
Helene Donnelly was an A&E nurse at Stafford Hospital and suffered horrendous bullying from co-workers after raising concerns over the treatment of patients and fiddling records.
Her ordeal was exposed in the public inquiry into appalling care at Stafford Hospital chaired by Sir Robert.
The 35-year-old from Gnosall now works in a special role at Staffordshire and Stoke NHS Partnership Trust as a go-to person for staff to raise complaints. She carries out this job as well as completing normal nursing shifts.
She played a role advising Sir Robert Francis during the Freedom to Speak Up review and her role will form the basis of a the Freedom to Speak Up Guardians that all hospitals and NHS bodies will have to set up. She said: "It is great he has taken such a strong focus on this role. Also having a national adviser so guardians have someone to go to externally is very important.
"I think his report is very thorough considering the very short time scale and it is a review rather than a full inquiry. It has included a number of key principles that will make a huge difference and protect people going through awful situations.
"The NHS has come a long way. We have had this review and it is a big change from five or six years ago. Back then I couldn't had imagined this would be happening.
"There is still an awful long way to go and it will take a long time for some of this to be implemented but some of the recommendations could be taken up pretty easily straight away. That will help more brave people come forward and speak out about issues and concerns they have had and never have to go through the suffering that others have had. It should not be forgotten the biggest thing is about patient care and providing it in the best way possible."
Dr David Drew was a senior paediatric consultant for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and raised concerns over a case where a baby was sent home and died and alleged there was bullying and understaffed wards.
He was later dismissed for gross misconduct and insubordination. He branded the report 'completely inadequate'.
Dr Drew, from Sutton Coldfield, said: "The report acknowledged all the things that happened to whistleblowers and that some became ill, died or even felt suicidal and then Sir Robert said these people had been 'crushed' by the NHS.
"But it goes on to say that there was nothing to do about it, saying it would be too complicated, too long and no guarantee of any results. All the people who inflicted this on the whistleblowers have got away with it. What sort of message does that send out? It is completely inadequate."
David Ore told bosses at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley that children and pensioners were being restrained and locked in hospital cubicles for up to 12 hours without food or drink.
Mr Ore managed security staff across the three hospitals run by the Dudley Group of Hospitals, but was suspended in November 2012 and sacked five months later after a disciplinary hearing. He won an appeal but was again ordered out on 'special leave'.
He is disappointed that a new National Independent Officer proposed by the review will not be tasked with investigating historical cases such as his. The 58-year-old is still out of work and unable to get a job.
He said: "I don't think this report will make a blind bit of difference. I am bitterly disappointed that the government will not investigate former cases but I guess it would be too embarrassing for them.
"Unless there are clear criminal sanctions for NHS bosses who treat whistleblowers with contempt and ruin their careers, there is no way forward."
