Gags on NHS whistleblowers to be banned as Health Secretary insists staff won't ...

View
comments

Gagging orders which prevent whistleblowers from speaking out will be banned by the NHS, the Health Secretary says.

Matt Hancock said he was ‘determined to end’ the unfairness of making Health Service workers choose between raising concerns to safeguard patients or keeping their job.

It emerged last week that universities had spent nearly £90million on pay-offs with so-called gagging orders attached over the past two years.

In March the Government announced toughened legal measures to prevent employers using confidentiality agreements to stop workers from reporting crimes, harassment or discrimination.

Mr Hancock’s pledge comes after a radiographer had her non-disclosure agreement (NDA) overturned by a tribunal judge.

‘Whistleblowers perform a vital and courageous service for the NHS and I want more people to feel they can put their head above the parapet,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.

‘Settlement agreements that infringe on an individual’s right to speak out for the benefit of patients are completely inappropriate.