Whistleblowing Policy

Purpose of this policy

The NHS Confederation is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity, and accountability. In line with that commitment, NHS Confederation has implemented this policy to support and encourage individuals to be able to raise genuine concerns they may have about suspected wrongdoing within the organisation, without fear of reprisal or victimisation.

Individuals are protected when making a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and this policy is in line with EU Whistleblowing Directive 2021, as a mark of best practice.

Scope

This policy applies to everyone working at or with the NHS Confederation

It applies to:

• all staff, including chief executives, directors, senior managers, employees (whether permanent, fixed-term or temporary), seconded staff, homeworkers, agency workers and volunteers
• consultants and contractors, including their own employees, subcontractors, and suppliers
• trustees and committee members.
• Job applicants

Any employing or contracting manager must ensure that all temporary staff, consultants, or contractors are aware of this policy.

By the NHS Confederation we mean the NHS Confederation charity, any subsidiary companies, and any hosted networked organisation.

The NHS Confederation has designated the Director of People and Governance as the individual who is responsible for ensuring that the NHS Confederation implements this policy.