NHSE ‘bringing in staff without due process’

NHS England’s internal whistleblowing champions have raised concerns that the organisation is bringing in staff “without due process”.

The body’s Freedom To Speak Up annual report, to be discussed at its board meeting today, highlighted concerns that individuals were being appointed “without any formal process or job description, which the [FTSU] panel escalated to HR for investigation and response”.

It added: “The panel remained concerned about the level of corporate assurance relating to awareness of these workers, and the impact on existing teams of bringing them into NHSE without due process. As such, the panel viewed this as a governance matter that should be visible to the board.”

NHSE introduced a “consistent route” for recording new joiner details in summer, the report said.

The FTSU report for 2025-26, by chief operating officer and FTSU lead Sarah-Jane Marsh, also found:

• Staff facing “bullying, harassment, or psychological abuse” from their managers and a “lack of support” from leaders when they speak up.

• Concerns raised about “adherence to HR policies”.

• Leaders’ engagement with FTSU had “notably reduced” following the announcement NHSE would be abolished.

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Source: HSJ, 1 October 2026

Further reading on the hub:

• Speaking up for patient safety: A new interview series about raising concerns and whistleblowing

• Key themes emerging from our ‘Speaking up for patient safety’ interview series