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Scotland introduces whistleblowing helpline

21 May 2013

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A confidential phone line for NHS Scotland staff who wish to raise any concerns about practices, launched last month has already received 34 calls.

The National Confidential Alert Line for NHS employees went live in April this year to provide an additional level of support and advice for staff.

More than 20 calls anonymously raised concerns about NHS practices while 11 calls related to personnel or contractual matters. As well as this, 19 calls were received from health workers in other parts of the UK excluding Scotland.

All of the concerns that employees raised were passed on to the relevant authority for further investigation.    

Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “It is vitally important that all NHS workers feel that they can raise any concerns they may have about patient safety and malpractice because it helps to improve our health service. 

“We have created a way that staff can speak to an independent organisation, anonymously , safely and confidentially. I have also been clear that any areas of concern have to be investigated so that lessons will be learned.

“While the Francis Inquiry focused on NHS England, we can still learn lessons about our NHS listening to staff and patients and learning from mistakes.”