Doctors, consultants, nurses and other NHS workers who blow the whistle will be protected in the future, under changes to the NHS Constitution announced by Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary.

Changes to the NHS Constitution announced this week will mean that NHS staff that raise concerns about poor patient care will be protected in the future.

The changes will take effect in early 2012 will add the following:

-  An expectation that all NHS staff should raise concerns at the earliest opportunity.

-  A pledge that NHS organisations should support staff when raising concerns by ensuring their concerns are fully investigated and that there is someone independent, outside of their team, to speak to.

-  Clarity around the existing legal right for staff to raise concerns about safety, malpractice or other wrong doing without suffering any negative consequences.

The changes, which were a Conservative manifesto commitment at the 2010 General Election, follow a public consultation  earlier this year in which there was an overwhelming positive response to amend the NHS Constitution in this way.

For further information please contact our team of employment specialists, Nigel Tillott, Gareth Price and Rebecca Byczok, who have a national reputation for claims involving senior employees and consultants in the NHS, on telephone number 01452 612345.