RCN: staff need support to raise concerns

Published: 04 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has said there needs to be greater transparency so nursing staff feel supported when raising concerns.

The comments come as a Nursing Times survey found that half of respondents who had raised concerns about the NHS felt they were ignored.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “It is extremely worrying that a large number of nursing staff still feel their concerns are going unheard, even worse that some have to live with the threat of reprisal. Robert Francis’ report clearly spelt out what happens when members of staff are ignored.

“The RCN has repeatedly said that all nursing staff have a responsibility to protect their patients and speak out when they see examples of poor care. However, they need to be confident that managers will take action.”

Dr Carter said that ultimately it is patients that suffer when staff are ignored. “In 2009, the RCN introduced a whistleblowing hotline, although this is no replacement for staff raising concerns with their employers.

“We need senior staff across the NHS to know what is happening on their wards and pledge that no member of staff will suffer victimisation when they do speak out,” he added.