What do I do if something wrong or dangerous is happening at work?
If you are worried that something wrong or dangerous is happening at work, please don’t keep it to yourself. Unless you tell us about any concerns you may have about patient or staff safety risks, or other wrongdoing, the chances are we won’t find out until it’s too late.
Please see below for steps to take if you feel that something wrong or dangerous is happening at work:
- We hope that you will feel able to tell your manager.
- If for whatever reason you are uneasy about this or your manager’s response doesn’t seem right, you can contact the confidential NES contact (Karen Wilson karen.wilson@nhs.scot or Graham Paxton graham.paxton@nhs.scot). Alternatively, please see details below for the placement board contacts and for those contacts within NES. If you want to talk to them in confidence, just say so, but please tell them who you are.
- If you want confidential advice first, you can talk to your local trade union representative, or contact the Protect-advice charity. You may also call the SPSO confidential advice and information service on Freephone 0800 008 6112 or via email INWO@spso.gov.scot. Further information is available at The Scottish Government website.
Please see here for the National Whistleblowing Standards.
As some of you may be nervous about raising such matters, here are some tips:
- Raise it when it’s a concern – we won’t ask you to prove it;
- Keep it in perspective – there may be an innocent explanation;
- It will help us if you can say how you think things can be put right;
- Stay calm – you’re doing the right thing; and
- If for whatever reason you are worried about raising it with your manager, please follow the escalation guidance