Harney to protect whistleblowers

WHISTLE blowers in the health service will be legally protected under new measures which came into force yesterday.

Healthcare workers who lodge a complaint in good faith against a colleague will be shielded from being targeted in work and safeguarded from being sued.

Health Minister Mary Harney said the new measure will legally protect staff and improve patient safety.

“These new whistle blower provisions should encourage a culture of openness and accountability throughout the health services so that employees can report any concerns they may have in relation to their workplace,” said Ms Harney. “All of us working in the delivery of healthcare owe it to our patients and to ourselves to do all that we can to minimise errors and maximise the quality of services for patients.”

Mr Harney said the change in practice is a key measure of the Health Act 2007, providing statutory protection against penalisation and civil liability for health service employees who disclose matters of concern to an authorised person.

Authorised persons have been appointed by health service employers and providers and agreed procedures put in place for making reports.

Ms Harney said she wanted actively to encourage healthcare employees to disclose matters of concern, particularly in the area of patient safety.

“Staff who may have wanted to report concerns, but were reluctant to do so for fear of retaliation or victimisation, will now enjoy legal protection from any form of penalisation when they make their disclosure in accordance with the new provisions in the act,” she added. “Concerns can be made to authorised persons or direct to professional regulatory bodies or, in certain circumstances, to other bodies such as the Health Information and Quality Authority.”