In this area you will find additional information and guidance on how to implement the National Whistleblowing Standards and how to handle whistleblowing concerns in your organisation.
Anyone providing a service for the NHS needs to know about the National Whistleblowing Standards.
To help with this, the INWO team have created two learning programmes. One is for staff needing an overview of the Standards and the other is for managers. The managers’ programme is for any person working in the NHS who is likely to receive concerns. It covers in-depth what a manager needs to know to be able to respond to a concern.
The modules are now available on the Turas website. Click here to access them.
Guidance on the National Whistleblowing Standards
- NHS Scotland organisations are required to handle whistleblowing concerns according to the National Whistleblowing Standards. Read a step-by-step guide for NHS boards on what to do now to implement the Standards.
- Further information is available for boards and contractors (including primary care contractors) , along with the self-assessment checklist for NHS providers. Read implementation guidance.
- All organisations should have a confidential contact that people can raise concerns with. More information about this role can be found in our 'Role of the confidential contact' webinar.
Guidance for people receiving concerns
- Quick guide to what to consider when receiving a whistleblowing concern
- Redress Policy
- Guidance on apology
- 'Good practice in receiving concerns' webinar
- Monitored referrals
- Quick reference guide for managers and people receiving concerns
- Checklist for managers and people raising concerns
- Guide for HR teams on the differences between HR issues and whistleblowing
Communications materials for NHS use
Getting information out to staff about the new National Whistleblowing Standards will be fundamental to their success. It is important that each NHS provider shares the right information with staff, students and volunteers. It is also important to publicise what arrangements are in place for raising concerns at the local level.
To help with this, we have developed suggested text which can be used in your local communication materials. The suggested text provides key messages and information which are accurate and concise, for boards and other NHS providers.
Local communications teams are encouraged to adapt this content for leaflets and webpages, adding local contact details and logos, and any other additional content as appropriate.
New!: We have also produced a Guide to whistleblowing for anyone delivering NHS services.
Frequently Asked Questions about the National Whistleblowing Standards and their implementation. Read FAQs here.
Browse our directory of case studies for examples from a wide range of categories. Visit the case studies directory here.
We have developed a programme of webinars which cover topical issues that we have picked up from our enquiries and case work. These have been recorded and are available to view on our YouTube channel:
- Good practice guidance for annual whistleblowing reporting (PDF, 954KB) - guidance to support NHS boards in preparing their annual whistleblowing reports
- Annual whistleblowing reporting Excel tool (Excel, 26KB) to be used in conjunction with the above guidance. The Excel tool supports data collection for KPIs 4-10.
- Findings from NHS boards' annual whistleblowing reporting 2023-24 (PDF, 397KB)
- Findings from NHS boards' annual whistleblowing reporting 2022-23 (PDF, 334KB)
- Findings from NHS boards’ annual whistleblowing reporting 2021-22
- Key Performance Indicator (KPI) checklist
Contact us
Our Improvements, Standards and Engagement team can provide advice for staff handling whistleblowing concerns through the Standards. They can be contacted on 0131 297 4863 or via our contact form for advice on how to handle specific scenarios.