NHS whistleblowers to be protected when applying for new jobs

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NHS whistleblowers will receive greater legal protection if they decide to apply for a new job, according to proposals published today.  The plans stem from a recommendation in Sir Robert Francis’ Freedom to Speak Up review, which revealed that a number of people struggled to find re-employment in the NHS after making protected disclosures about patient safety. The Department of Health has launched a consultation into the proposed changes, entitled "protecting whistleblowers seeking jobs in the NHS". Its proposals include:

• Applicants will have a right to complain to an employment tribunal if they have been discriminated against because they have previously blown the whistle.
• Setting out timeframes for lodging the case with tribunal.
• Setting out remedies that must be awarded if the complaint is upheld, including making provision for how much compensation must be awarded.
• Applicants will have the right to bring a claim in the county court or High Court for breach of statutory duty to restrain or prevent discriminatory conduc