Whistleblowing - when voices need to be heard

Suzanne McCarthy, Independent Chair of the Accountability and Liaison Board at the National Guardian and David Crawley, Crimestoppers Director of Business Growth and Fundraising, at the Emergency Services Show in Birmingham.

By David Crawley – Crimestoppers Director of Business Growth and Fundraising

The recent spotlight on the NHS nurse who was able to carry out a string of baby murders has sharpened minds and forced leaders across all sectors to reconsider how they support, take seriously and act on information and intelligence from whistleblowing and whistleblowers. 

It was therefore timely that I was invited to speak at the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham. 

In a session titled 'When voices need to be heard’, we explored why having an independent process in place is the only way to encourage openness in the workplace.

As a summary, the key points raised using Crimestoppers’ insights included: 

• Whistleblowing is one of the most important areas that needs to be addressed urgently 
• There isn’t a one stop solution to this problem - it’s around working together to ensure those that have the courage to speak up have options and are fully supported
• There are three routes to reporting – an open conversation, confidential conversations, and ultimately anonymity. 
• Without doubt, fear of retribution and ‘nothing being done’ remains a huge deterrent for people who want to speak up. 

There is a huge amount of work to be done to improve the environment for whistleblowers. 

For those who have the courage to speak up, it’s no longer acceptable that they face retribution or fear of negative consequences.

Only by putting in place the right platforms and process, can organisations ensure people with concerns or suspicions are not silenced but are heard. 

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