Overview
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) provides protection against being dismissed (including being selected for redundancy), or being subjected to detrimental treatment, due to having made a ‘qualifying disclosure’ as defined by the Act. This is commonly referred to as whistleblowing.
A ‘qualifying disclosure’ is a disclosure of information in the public interest which, in your reasonable belief, tends to show that one or more of the following has happened, is happening, or is likely to happen:
A criminal offence
Breach of a legal obligation
A miscarriage of justice
Danger to the health or safety of any individual
Damage to the environment
A deliberate attempt to conceal one of the above.
Within the healthcare context, raising a concern about risk to the health or safety of patients and/or colleagues would amount to a qualifying disclosure, as long the concern is based on a reasonable belief and is made in good faith.
On this page you can read more about the professional duty that you have to raise concerns if you are presented with certain situations. It can be hard to speak up and we explore how this should work in terms of support from your colleagues.
We also cover whistleblowing policies that your employer should have, and what situations are covered. In addition, we explain your rights if you do choose to raise concerns in this way.
When raising a concern there are several factors you should consider, along with the risks of not going ahead with the whistleblowing. We answer some of the frequently asked questions that dentists ask us about how to raise a concern.
Whistleblowing can be done internally and externally, depending on the circumstances, and this advice outlines best practice for who to approach.
Many dentists are concerned about how their employer or colleagues will treat them if they blow the whistle on something they are concerned about. We detail your protection under employment law and how you can complain about any detrimental treatment that results from whistle-blowing.
