The bill makes provisions for protection of NHS employees and other NHS officers on whistle blowing and certain necessary disclosures in the workplace. This will be applied through the pressure on the NHS for regulation of:

• the appointment, functions and powers of independent support officers and all NHS employees who want to make certain disclosures for the public interest;
• the duties on the NHS Trust and other officers to co-operate with such support officers;
• consequential amendments to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; and
• any other connected purposes.

It is important that the medical practices which are licensed and regulated under the NHS notify their employees and also make all the necessary arrangements including for example, working around their office hours, for any meetings with the Support Officers.

All the necessary training and information must be provided to all current employees in order to avoid any grievance claims in the work place.

This bill is a private members bill and is being supported by a Doctor Richard Taylor. It is in its very early reading stages, the House of Commons first reading was on 16th December 2009, so there is not much detailed information on its content at this stage.

If you require any further information regarding this bill please contact Peter Thornley on 0115 9888 763 or email pthornley@fraserbrown.com.