Health regulators joint whistleblowing disclosures report 2021

The GDC has joined seven other UK healthcare regulators to publish an annual report on whistleblowing disclosures.

Since 2017 there has been a legal duty that requires all prescribed bodies to publish an annual report on the whistleblowing disclosures made to them. Rather than publish this information separately, the regulators have decided to compile an annual report jointly to highlight our coordinated effort in working together to address the serious issues raised with us.

Our aim in this report is to be transparent about how we handle disclosures, highlight the action taken about these issues, and to improve collaboration across the health sector.

The number of disclosures the GDC received this year has reduced to 100 from 116 received last year. All these disclosures were made directly to the Fitness to practise team. Of these, 93 resulted in regulatory action being taken, four were closed with no further action and three were referred on to other bodies.

We believe this reduction is partly as a result of COVID-19, as the provision of dental services was significantly impacted by the pandemic, with fewer people visiting their dentist. However, we have also seen an increase in whistleblowing complaints raising concerns related to the pandemic, such as allegations of not using PPE or inappropriate use of PPE, poor cross infection procedures and not adhering to social distancing rules.

This Whistleblowing disclosures report 2021 is published jointly by the GDC with the General Chiropractic Council, General Medical Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

You can download the Whistleblowing disclosures report 2021 from our website.