NHS careers ‘put at risk by whistleblowing’

NHS staff could see their 
careers “finished” if they speak out over the potential manipulation of patient waiting lists, an MSP told Scotland’s Auditor General yesterday.

The claim came after a major report from spending watchdog Audit Scotland warned 
that public trust in the NHS had been jeopardised because of cases of patients being listed as “socially unavailable” for treatment – meaning they fall outside waiting-time targets.

Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon, speaking at Holyrood’s public audit committee, claimed some staff were afraid to report waiting list manipulation.

However, Scotland’s Auditor General, Caroline Gardner, told MSPs that ministers and health bosses had to “promote a culture” where whistleblowers within the NHS are prepared to speak out.

Ms Scanlon suggested there was a “bullying culture in the NHS with staff forced to find ways to manipulate figures”.