Closed petition Protection for whistleblowers

Closed on 4 March 2014

We call on the government to implement recommendations in the Francis report on Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust, to require:
•Healthcare providers who believe/suspect treatment provided caused death/serious injury to a patient to inform that patient or other authorised person as soon as practicable
•Medical practitioners, nurses and other health professionals who believe/suspect treatment provided by a healthcare provider employing them caused death/serious injury to report this to their employer.
It should be a criminal offence for a medical practitioner, nurse or health professional or director of a healthcare organisation to:
•Obstruct another in performing these duties
•Provide information intending to mislead a patient/relative about such an incident.
We would add that there be:
•Exemption from disciplinary action for those reporting adverse events (except where there is a criminal offence or it would be unsafe for a professional to continue to practise).