We agree that there are unique problems for GPs in whistleblowing.1 However, over 5 years we found whistleblowing on 43 occasions (42% of the total) to be the commonest presentation of clinical poor performance in our district.2 We attribute this to having experienced people available locally who are trusted to handle concerns seriously, confidentially, and discretely.
Although action is needed to enhance whistleblowing, this must be accompanied by annual reporting of numbers of whistleblowing incidents in each district so that we may know whether there are indeed trusted people available everywhere. The lessons of several national inquiries must not be lost during times of major NHS changes.
REFERENCES
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