Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety

Endnotes

1

Follow the guidance in paragraph 73 of Good medical practice, if the risk arises from an adverse incident involving a medical device.

2

General Medical Council (2012) Leadership and management for all doctors.

3

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects individuals making disclosures that ‘tend to show’ that the health or safety of a person is or may be endangered. These are ‘protected disclosures’.

4

For further information see the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, the NHS Constitution or Protect, a whistleblowing charity that advises and supports individuals and encourages safe whistleblowing.

5

For more information on how we respond to concerns, see the Concerns section of our site.

6

Updated in June 2013 to refer to the GMC’s confidential helpline. Further information can be found on the Concerns section of our site. You can contact the Helpline on 0161 923 6399.

7

For guidance in establishing systems and policies in England see Protect. 

In Scotland see NHS Scotland, Implementing & Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHSScotland PIN Policy (May 2011).

8

For information about the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 see Protect, a whistleblowing charity that advises and supports individuals and encourages safe whistleblowing and legislation.gov.uk.

9

For more information, see Good medical practice, paragraph 55, on our website.

10

Updated in June 2013 to reflect the most appropriate avenues for seeking advice following the introduction of revalidation.