Raising And Acting On Concerns Flashcards
When is it your duty to raise a concern?
What about if it’s not allowed in your contract?
All doctors have a duty to raise concerns where they believe that patient safety or care is being compromised
(by the practice of colleagues or
the systems, policies and procedures in the organisations in which they work)
They must also encourage and support a culture in which staff can raise concerns openly and safely
You must not enter into contracts or agreements with your employing or contracting body that seek to prevent you from or restrict you in raising concerns about patient safety
Contracts or agreements are void if they intend to stop an employee from making a protected disclosure
What if you are hesitant about raising a concern?
a) You have a duty to put patients’ interests first and act to protect them, which overrides personal and professional loyalties
b) The law provides legal protection against victimisation or dismissal for individuals who reveal information to raise genuine concerns and expose malpractice in the workplace
c) You do not need to wait for proof – you will be able to justify raising a concern if you do so honestly, on the basis of reasonable belief and through appropriate channels, even if you are mistaken
