GAGGING DOCTORS COSTS MILLIONS

Hospital doctors who quit their jobs are routinely being bullied into signing “Gagging Orders” which prevents them from publicising their concerns about systemic errors and mistakes which harm patients.

In a joint investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Channel 4 News, it was discovered that more than 170 doctors in England and Wales had agreed to “Gagging Orders” at the conclusion of their employment costing the NHS more than £3 million.

The investigation also found that 19 NHS staff decided to take their cases to the Employment Tribunal after “whistle-blowing” about the poor standards in hospitals but their claims were eventually settled before going to hearing.

Whistle-blowers have legal protection from dismissal or victimisation under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1999. The Act protects whistle-blowers from any retribution by their employer even if they have entered into a contractual Gagging Order.

Patient Safety should always be paramount in the NHS and Trusts should foster an open dialogue with their doctors where staff feel safe to point out bad practice and errors at an early stage.

When they fail to do this problems can occur. The recent scandal at the Bristol Royal Infirmary where 29 babies and children died after heart surgery, fare higher than one would expect from a specialist unit of that type, proved the importance of openness.