Government claims its proposals will prevent blacklisting of NHS whistleblowers

^{The CSP website has guidance about whistleblowing, with key information and signposts to sources of help}

In its consultation, which is open for eight weeks until 12 May, the department says it wants comments on proposals to

• give an applicant the right to complain to an employment tribunal if they have been discriminated against because it appears they have previously blown the whistle
• set out a timeframe in which a complaint to the tribunal must be lodged
• set out the remedies that the tribunal may or must award if a complaint is upheld
• make provision about the amount of compensation that can be awarded
• give an individual a right to bring a claim in the county court or the High Court for breach of statutory duty in order to, among other things, restrain or prevent discriminatory conduct

The proposals are a response to a recommendation in Sir Robert Francis’ Freedom to Speak Up review, according to the department.

The review, published in 2015, received evidence that ‘blacklisting of whistleblowers is taking place in the NHS’, with people struggling to find employment in the service after making protected disclosures about patient safety.

Guidance for CSP members about the controversial topic of whistleblowing is available on the society’s website. It is intended to provide some key information about whistleblowing, and to signpost members to more detailed resources and sources of help.