Question reference: S5W-32545
- Date lodged: 14 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the role of the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) for NHS Scotland will be established, and when the new Whistleblowing Standards, developed by the SPSO, will come into effect.
Answer
The role of the INWO will be implemented with effect from 1 April 2021. This new role, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will provide a mechanism for external review of how a Health Board, primary care or independent provider has handled a whistleblowing case.
The role was originally due to go-live in Summer 2020 but this was revised in view of the current pandemic and in consultation with the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsmen. We have continued to engage with the SPSO and we have balanced the need to timeously deliver the commitment of the INWO whistleblowing measure with the need for our Health Service to prepare for its implementation, particularly in view of the remobilisation plans, the ongoing pandemic and winter pressures.
The Public Services Reform (The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) (Healthcare Whistleblowing) Order 2020 extends the powers of the SPSO, to take on the role of the INWO. These powers also allow the SPSO to set a ‘model procedure’ for handling whistleblowing concerns raised by staff and others delivering NHS services. The Standards have been developed by the SPSO who engaged closely with key stakeholders from the NHS, Scottish Government, whistleblowing specialists as well as whistleblowers.
The Standards will be formally published when the INWO goes live on 1 April 2021. For NHSScotland staff, these will form the ‘Once for Scotland’ Whistleblowing Policy that will go-live at the same time. In view of the legislative requirements that Health Boards will need to prepare for there will be an implementation period of 3 months, supported by SPSO in advance of the INWO go live date.
SPSO and Scottish Government continue to liaise with stakeholders to prepare for implementation.
Until 1 April 2021, the current processes and procedures remain in place and both the Scottish Government and SPSO will be working on communications to ensure this is understood.