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PDA responds to PSNI Guidance on Raising Concerns

The PSNI consulted with stakeholders from 29 January to 11 February 2019 on its Guidance on Raising Concerns. The PSNI Council recommended that only minor changes needed to be made to the guidance and therefore only consulted with certain stakeholders such as the PDA, rather than making this a public consultation.

Thu 28th February 2019 The PDA

The PDA recommended that a fuller review of the guidance be undertaken and as such, that it should be subject to a full public consultation.

Our recommendations included:

  • The name being changed from “Guidance on raising concerns” to “Guidance on whistleblowing” because whistleblowing is a broader concept. The term is used to refer to the duty to investigate concerns and act upon them, as well as the need for them to be raised.
  • The purpose of the document was too narrow and in order to improve the whistleblowing culture and the public benefit that arises from it, the purpose should reflect the duty of pharmacy owners and employers to investigate and act upon concerns as appropriate.
  • Taking a remonstrative, punitive approach to those who do not blow the whistle is unlikely to be effective in improving the whistleblowing culture and ultimately in protecting patients.
  • The shortcomings in the law and the fact that pharmacists and others continue to suffer detriment for whistleblowing should be acknowledged.
  • We also asked that the PDA be listed in Section 6 as a source of help and advice for pharmacists, alongside the other organisations that are already listed.

Download the PSNI draft consultation document here

thumbnail of Guidance on Raising Concerns – Final Draft (002)

Download the PDA response document here

thumbnail of PSNI Guidance raising concerns consultation response FINAL

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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