Nursing in Practice will tomorrow launch an exclusive analysis into speaking up in primary care, looking at the processes and experiences of general practice nurses (GPNs) who whistleblow at work.
The report considers why general practice is seen to be such a hard place to speak up in, asking how staff hierarchies and inconsistent practice policy can undermine GPN’s confidence in raising concerns.
We spoke with charity and sector leaders about the support available for GPNs, and what improvements are needed to protect patients and staff in practice environments.
One leader outlined that the variability of primary care – coupled with ‘lone working’ – can make it harder for nurses in the sector to speak up.
In an exclusive interview, one GPN told us of the bullying and intimidation they have faced since raising concerns about unsafe practice, including alleged misdiagnosis of patients and forged notes.
