Bosses at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) are still falling short in supporting whistleblowers following the infection scandal, according to a report. The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) found that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde failed to establish an environment where staff could raise concerns about patient safety and take appropriate actions. The watchdog discovered strained relationships between teams, hindering the sharing of information on safety risks and discouraging whistleblowers from speaking up again.
The investigation by INWO was triggered by a whistleblower complaint regarding the handling of concerns at the troubled QEUH campus in Glasgow. The hospital, which cost £842 million, is under scrutiny due to infections affecting numerous patients, particularly children with cancer. NHSGGC is also under investigation for corporate manslaughter following the deaths of four patients at the facility. The report highlighted communication issues between QEUH teams, impacting the management of patient safety risks.
Whistleblowers expressed a lack of confidence in the organization’s willingness to protect them or address their concerns, leading to hesitancy in using formal reporting channels. The report indicated that 46% of staff surveyed lacked confidence that NHSGGC would respond to reported issues, while 48% feared negative consequences for speaking out. Only a quarter believed that action would be taken without repercussions. The concerns raised by microbiologists Dr. Christine Peters and Dr. Teresa Inkster about patient safety at QEUH have been ongoing since its opening in 2015.
Patients such as Milly Main, aged 10, and Gail Armstrong, aged 73, succumbed to infections linked to the hospital environment while receiving cancer treatment. An NHSGGC spokesperson acknowledged the need to cultivate a speak-up culture and pointed out improvements made since the investigation. The health board stated its commitment to empowering staff to voice concerns and ensuring a supportive environment for whistleblowers moving forward.
Summary:
The article highlights the ongoing failure of QEUH bosses to address whistleblower concerns following a significant infection scandal. Despite efforts to improve staff confidence in reporting safety risks, there remains a culture of fear and distrust within the organization. The report sheds light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the healthcare sector and the vital importance of creating a supportive environment for raising concerns about patient safety. Addressing these issues is crucial to improving transparency and accountability in healthcare settings.