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Speaking up (whistleblowing)

Understand when and how to raise concerns, and the support available to help you through the process.

When to raise a concern

You do not need to wait for a problem to become more serious before speaking up. If you witness poor care or believe you are being prevented from delivering safe, compassionate treatment, raise your concerns as soon as possible.

All NHS employees have a contractual right and a duty to report concerns to their employer that they believe are in the public interest. These may include malpractice, patient safety issues, financial impropriety or other serious risks.

How to raise a concern

Your employer should have a formal policy explaining how to raise a concern and whom to contact. Refer to this policy first and follow the process it sets out.

Concerns can be raised verbally or in writing. Provide relevant background information, explain how your concerns have developed and outline why you are concerned.

Throughout the process, keep clear records and notes of the issues raised so that you can refer to them later.

Your employer has a duty to respond, and we understand how difficult it can be if your concerns are not addressed. As ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ is a professional association rather than a trade union, you may wish to contact your trade union for guidance and support with taking your concerns further.

It is important to raise concerns through the appropriate channels and in accordance with your employer’s policy. For guidance, speak to your employer’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU) or contact ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ for further information.

What support is available?

Contact ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ for advice and support with the speaking-up process. Other support services can be viewed below.

  • Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. We also offer training and help to resolve disputes. .
  • Read their advice to answer your questions on employment rights, rules and good practice.
  • If you still need help, you can contact the

Speak Up Direct offers free, independent, confidential advice on the speaking up process.

Protect is a charity that provides free, legal, confidential whistleblowing advice to people who are concerned about wrongdoing at work and not sure whether, or how, to raise concerns.

Website:

Website archive: 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/the-future-of-freedom-to-speak-up/#the-revised-freedom-to-speak-up-responsibilities

Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (Scotland)

Information for staff providing NHS services on whistleblowing, how to raise a concern about an NHS Scotland service and how to complain to the INWO.

Website:

Whistleblowing – Scotland

NHSScotland supports and encourages an environment where employees can raise concerns about patient safety and malpractice.

Blowing the whistle is more formally known as ‘making a disclosure in the public interest’. It’s important you can do so knowing that you are protected from losing your job and/ or being victimised as a result of what you have uncovered and made public.

Visit the site below:

Whistleblowing – Raising concerns about healthcare in Wales

What you need to know if you want to report concerns at work. Visit the link below for more information.

Speaking up Safely – A Framework for the NHS in Wales

The principles and practices associated with Speaking Up Safely outlined in this framework document should be considered within the broader NHS Wales and UK policy context. Speaking Up Safely is an initiative which supports, rather than replaces, existing policy, such as:

• Procedure for NHS Staff to Raise Concerns

• NHS Wales Policy: Respect and Resolution

• Welsh Government Law: The Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act

• UK healthcare regulation: e.g. codes of practice provided by the NMC, HCPC and GMC

• UK Law: Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

The Speaking Up Safely Framework has also been informed by international guidelines referenced in the framework.

View the framework: /wp-content/uploads/2026/10/speaking-up-safely_0.pdf