Patient safety: listen to whistleblowers (BMJ, 29 August 2023)

Summary

The case of Lucy Letby, who was convicted of the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of another six in August 2023, has shocked both the public and the healthcare community. In this BMJ editorial, independent investigator Bill Kirkup and James Titcombe, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Watch, outline how the failure to listen to healthcare professionals raising concerns in the case may have contributed to further deaths.

They highlight that when doctors at the Countess of Chester Hospital had concerns that they were seeing more deaths than expected, managers failed to take seriously their instinct that there might be a specific underlying cause. The doctors were even pressured into apologising to Letby. They argue that in spite of efforts by the NHS to create a culture where it is safe for staff to speak up about concerns, whistleblowers are still often ostracised and threatened when they highlight patient safety concerns.

The article calls for health organisations to adopt the voluntary charter around candour currently being signed by police services and other bodies, pending the implementation of the proposed Public Authorities (Accountability) Bill, which would place a much-needed enduring duty of candour on NHS staff and organisations.