ABSTRACT
In practice, health professionals have been concerned about the repercussions of reporting a colleague or manager. They may fear their career progression would be hampered. They may fear confrontation and the impact on their relationships that such reporting would have. Junior members of staff often find it particularly difficult to report senior members of staff. Several cases have highlighted the dangers of failing to bring wrongdoing to the attention of management. Enquiries into some of the worst frauds and disasters of recent years highlight the importance of acting early on concerns raised by employees. Health professionals feared victimisation for bringing any wrongdoing to the attention of management. The Kennedy Report, following the Bristol Inquiry, made a number of recommendations to ensure that health professionals should not be penalised for raising concerns. Health professionals should feel able to raise concerns their employer.
