Raising concerns in Yorkshire and the Humber

Published: 25 March 2013

The RCN in Yorkshire and the Humber believes that safe, compassionate care is everyone’s responsibility and we are encouraging members to raise any workplace concerns they may have, and to be aware of the importance of preventing and eliminating wrongdoing at work. You should be watchful for unsafe, illegal or unethical conduct, and report anything of this nature.

In the wake of the Francis report on Mid Staffordshire, it has perhaps never been more important for members to be aware of the processes for raising concerns, and the support that's in place for those who speak out.

If you see poor care, feel you are being prevented from providing good care, or if patients, family or staff report a concern to you, doing nothing is not an option, it can lead to a situation becoming worse. While concerns may not have an immediate impact on patient care, there may be long term effects.

Examples of this could be:
• changes to the staffing or skill mix in an area may result/is resulting in staff not having sufficient time to answer call bells promptly or monitor patients effectively
• changing mandatory training to an e-learning format that may not be fit for purpose or providing staff with the necessary skills to deliver high quality care
• changing shift patterns that may have an effect on the health and wellbeing of staff or effect their ability to deliver appropriate levels of care
• a lack of moving and handling equipment on the ward or poorly maintained equipment.

By raising concerns early, RCN representatives can support you and may prevent a problem emerging in the first place.

All employers should have a formal policy for raising concerns, usually known as the ‘whistleblowing policy’, and you should familiarise yourself with this at an early stage if you wish to raise a concern. Your employer has a duty to respond to your concerns, and you are protected in law from harassment, bullying, dismissal and other detrimental action when you raise a concern appropriately, even if you do this after the end of your employment.

In addition to the support structures provided in your workplace, the RCN is here to support you. All RCN representatives and branches in Yorkshire and the Humber have an important part to play in supporting members to raise concerns.
The RCN has published new guidance about raising concerns in the workplace. This covers practicalities, timescales, who to raise the concern with, the basic steps you should follow, raising a concern confidentially, the support you can expect, and how you can contact the RCN for additional help.

Raising concerns: A guide for RCN members:
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/510180/004391.pdf (PDF 296KB)
Raising concerns: A guide for RCN representatives:
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/510182/004392.pdf (255KB)

RCN members can contact the RCN whistleblowing hotline on 0345 772 6300.