Nurses still fear raising concerns
Published: 22 April 2013
Nurses still fear raising concerns about patient care
Around a quarter (24 per cent) of UK nurses have been discouraged or warned off raising concerns about patient care, in spite of the high profile Inquiry into Mid Staffordshire hospital.
The Royal College of Nursing expressed concern about the “culture of fear and intimidation” in some workplaces as it published the results of a survey[i] of 8262 nurses across the UK conducted by polling company ICM.
About 65% of nurses working in Wales who took part in the survey said that they have had to raise concerns about patient safety with their employer.
Of the concerns raised, more than half of nurses surveyed in Wales (54 per cent) citing concerns about staffing levels, and 18% were about patient safety. Worryingly, just under half (44 per cent) of nurses in Wales said worries about victimisation or reprisals would make them think twice about whistle blowing with only 34% saying that they would be confident about whistle blowing.
Peter Meredith-Smith, Associate Director (Employment Relations) Royal College of Nursing in Wales, said: “Disturbingly, these results show there remains a culture of fear within our services, where it seems that nurses worry that there may be repercussions if they speak out. Whistle blowing must be allowed and supported throughout our NHS, to ensure that patients’ safety is not put at risk. Although patient safety is paramount in the minds of nurses as they go about their day to day work caring for patients, the survey results suggest that nurses feel that they cannot raise their concerns for fear of reprisals. This issue must be addressed, so that the safety of patients is not compromised. It will be interesting to see if the picture presented in these findings is reflected in the results of the NHS Wales Staff Survey, when they are published”.
Since 2009, the RCN has called for all health care organisations to hold a register of staff concerns that must be reported to their Board regularly. The RCN runs a dedicated whistle blowing hotline for its members and has also recently updated guidance on raising concerns.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. RCN members can call 0345 772 6300 if they have serious or immediate concerns about patient safety in their workplace, which local processes are unable to resolve.
2. For further information, please contact the RCN Wales Communications Office on 02920680732 or 07773367707.
3. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nursing staff and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
[i] Survey of 8262 RCN members carried out by ICM on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing between 20th March and 2nd April 2013. 428 Members from Wales were surveyed.