Mr Frew stated “ I speak to Nurses and healthcare staff all the time in the course of my work and in consultation on my Private Members Bill on an Individual Duty of Candour in Health care service, many are extremely nervous about speaking out against the deemed establishment, many have suffered at the hands of bullying staff and line management and most have absolutely no confidence in the whistleblowing policies and protections and many had no faith, with some having bitter experience, that their complaint, if one were to be made, would result in a positive outcome for them. Some were sure that to complain would lead to them being disadvantaged, shunned, moved on or even disciplined. This is not confined to a cardiac unit in Royal Victoria Hospital, this is widespread and affects staff in all Health Trusts.
It is healthcare staff who encourage me the most to push ahead with my Private Members Bill on an Individual Duty of Candour, they feel very let down and vulnerable, this on top of an extremely challenging workplace and job.
It is also clear from my conversations that many Healthcare staff love their profession and love caring for people but feel that they have at one point, or another seriously considered leaving their role.
We need to ensure that healthcare staff are reinforced with protections that mean they cannot be bullied into doing something wrong or pressured into silence and acquiescence when something does go wrong. This is critically important that we look after the people who look after us but its also vital for the people of Northern Ireland who need an effective and trustworthy healthcare service when they require it.
I fear this report is but the tip of the iceberg and we will see more and more reports such as this. I pay tribute to my colleagues on the Health Committee and particularly the work of Diane Dodds who has shone a light on so many of these issues. It is essential moving forward, our nursing staff need to be heard and need to be treated with dignity and respect. “