Doctors bullied and blacklisted in response to whistleblowing, BMA finds

Fewer than a fifth of doctors are satisfied with their organisation’s response to whistleblowing, a survey by BMA Scotland suggests.

The poll found some doctors fear being bullied by managers as well as being blacklisted or marginalised if they speak out.

BMA Scotland carried out an online survey with 436 responses.

Just over half (51%) of doctors surveyed had experience of whistleblowing, with patient safety the most common reason for doing so.

Only 17% said they were satisfied with their organisation’s response to whistleblowing.

Some said they were aware of repercussions from whistleblowing – with 56% saying this took the form of bullying and 39% saying doctors’ mental states were questioned.

One doctor responded to the survey saying their health board had made up false complaints, referred them to the medical regulator and blacklisted them in response to raising concerns.

Another said complainants had been “interrogated while in tears”.

Meanwhile another doctor from an ethnic minority background said international graduates were rarely taken seriously.

BMA Scotland chairman Dr Iain Kennedy was previously involved in bringing to light a bullying scandal in NHS Highland.

Just over half (51%) of doctors surveyed had experience of whistleblowing, BMA survey finds iStock

He said: “This study aimed to examine the challenges faced by doctors when speaking up within the NHS and to identify ways to better support whistleblowers or indeed anyone raising concerns with their employer.

“The experiences uncovered by this research – including being bullied, marginalised and even having their mental state questioned – reveal a shocking picture of what can happen to those who do bravely and correctly decide to put their head above the parapet and speak out when things are going wrong.

“While 94% of those in the survey believe whistleblowing enhances patient safety and 90% believe it addresses wrongdoing, it is extremely concerning to find only 17% are satisfied with their organisation’s response.

“It’s frankly shameful that some doctors continue to feel they cannot speak up on behalf of patients without suffering personal consequences – despite all the apparent reassurances to the contrary.

“We need urgent action to change this and better support to encourage whistleblowers, particularly for younger and non-white doctors.”

Dr Sajid Farid, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish race equality forum, said: “Ethnic minority doctors, particularly international medical graduates, are afraid to speak up as they feel that their voices will not be heard.

“Ethnic minorities lack knowledge of whistleblowing procedures and can have communication challenges. They also experience more ‘dignity at work’ issues.”

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “This study paints a shocking picture of the reality facing NHS whistleblowers.

“It is completely unacceptable that any doctor should be bullied for pointing out problems that impact on patient care. As if frontline medics don’t have enough workplace stress just doing their job, given a lack of resources from the SNP Government.

“The SNP’s cover-up culture is actively discouraging doctors from speaking out, and, all too often, NHS managers are unaccountable and far too focused on holding on to their salaries than helping patients.

“The only staff who should be subject to disciplinary action are those who seek to silence brave whistleblowers with threats and intimidation.

“The SNP government must do more to hold health boards to account, to ensure whistleblowers can be confident their voices will be heard and their concerns acted upon by bosses.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “All Health Service workers should have the confidence to raise any concerns they may have. When a whistleblower raises a concern, I expect Boards to treat it with the utmost seriousness and ensure it is thoroughly fairly and appropriately investigated, ensuring no individual suffers any repercussions.

“The National Whistleblowing Officer is independent of Government and reviews how health boards, primary care and independent providers handle whistleblowing cases.”