Whistleblowing Champions have been appointed to health boards across Scotland in a move aimed at creating a more honest and open workplace culture within the NHS.
A total of 19 appointments have been made by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, with them all taking up their posts from this week.
Ms Freeman said: “I believe passionately in the NHS Scotland values of care and compassion, dignity and respect, openness, honesty, responsibility, quality and teamwork – and the level of interest in these posts demonstrates the level of enthusiasm for those values.
“I have been clear from the outset that the right people with the right skills should be appointed to the vital role of Whistleblowing Champion.
“I am therefore delighted that 19 out of Scotland’s 22 health boards now have one in place, with a further appointment round taking place shortly for the remaining three health boards.
“The NHS in Scotland does a fantastic job of looking after patients but it is just as important that NHS staff experience the care and respect they show to others.
“I am confident that these appointments will help create a better working environment for all.”
The Whistleblowing Champion role is intended to build on existing support in place for whistleblowers within the NHS.
Back in April 2019, it was reported that calls to NHS Scotland’s whistleblowing hotline had spiked during the preceding six months.
The majority of callers reported that they had already raised their concerns with staff members but felt they had been ignored or victimised as a result.
