Surgery in the Media: Whistleblowers and What Happens Next?

13 February 2020

The Confederation of British Surgery sees blogging as an opportunity to use social media to amplify discussion and exchange ideas with our Surgical colleagues, on topics that matter to Surgeons.

While health matters have always been of public interest, CBS is keen to take a deeper look into the headlines with its new blog series, Surgery in the Media. With the objective of examining messaging about Surgeons and surgical treatment as they are conveyed to the British public, we will explore its impact; discuss its implications; and consider the opportunities we have to help safeguard and educate now, and in the future.

In December 2019, it was revealed by the Guardian newspaper that Health Secretary Matt Hancock had repeatedly failed to respond to concerns about the bullying and intimidation of senior doctors, in order to prevent them from raising serious issues of patient safety. This news was presented as all the more shocking, as it took place in the politician’s local hospital - damaging public confidence in the National Healthcare System.

According to the piece, after an incident investigation into the tragic death of a patient, the local trust threatened senior doctors with disciplinary actions if they did not produce fingerprints as well as samples of their handwriting.

It has since emerged that the explanation for these measures were presented in a statement by the trust, which claimed that compliance with demands for biometric data were “voluntary,” while consultants deemed it “coercive.” Minutes read out by the trust’s deputy medical director detailed a section of the letter that was sent to clinicians, which provided compelling evidence that non-compliance would be seen by the trust as proof of whistleblowing.

This incident has incited uneasiness in the public, as well as elicited the resentment of medical professionals, and negative feelings have further escalated after details emerged about actions undertaken by the trust - which included the whistleblowing letter being first given to police; over £2,000 spent on experts to identify the letter-writer; and the investigation being overseen by a former assistant police chief constable, who sits as a non-executive member on the board.

It is understandable that the public, who may view NHS trusts as the gatekeepers to accessing medical treatment, have concerns about spends to eradicate whistleblowing in matters of patient safety; and questions about what – if any - similar, unpublicised issues across the U.K. fallout from this incident may potentially bring to light.

A senior Consultant stated that the trust should view the letter as a “cry for help,” rather than an attempt to “weaponise a patient,” as was alleged by the trust’s medical director. While the chair accepted that the trust needed to reflect on the matter, asking whether it highlighted a “systemic problem,” this has prompted additional questions from within the medical community about implications similar actions might have; how this might be viewed by the public; and about the precedent set for medical professionals - not just for whistleblowers, but potentially affecting the careers of all medics, in the event that they, too, face threats of disciplinary action for non-compliance.

Whether one asserts that the trust acted appropriately in this instance or not, it is undeniable that the incident has raised significant queries about the treatment of doctors as well as patients, which cannot be viewed as a “chicken or egg” issue.

It is essential that the British public are adequately reassured to put their faith in the healthcare system - which means it is absolutely necessary to focus our collective efforts on implementing future-proofing measures to ensure clinicians and hospital staff are supported, and therefore able to provide the best patient care, to reduce the risk of surgical or post-operative complications.

There is always risk involved with any surgery - but Surgeons’ duty of care cannot allow for the risk of medics facing hostile work environments to play a role in treatment. It is critical that doctors and trusts are working together, with mutual respect, to ensure that patients are given access to the best medical treatment from a system that has historically been one of the best in the world, and to ensure long-term public support for the NHS and it’s dedicated healthcare professionals.

Let us know your thoughts and opinions on social media platforms @UKSurgeons.

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