Whistle‐blowing and workplace culture in older peoples' care: qualitative insights from the healthcare and social care workforce

Aled Jones, Daniel Kelly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Inquiries in the <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">UK</jats:styled-content> into mistreatment of older people by healthcare employees over the last 30 years have focused on introducing or supporting employee whistle‐blowing. Although whistle‐blowers have made an important contribution to patient safety it remains a controversial activity. The fate of whistle‐blowers is bleak, often resulting in personal and professional sacrifices. Here we draw on the views of healthcare and social care employees working with older people to explore perceptions of whistle‐blowing as well as alternative strategies that may be used to raise concerns about the mistreatment of patients by co‐workers. Whistle‐blowing was perceived as a negative term. Managers said they promoted open cultures underpinned by regular team meetings and an open‐door ethos. Others described workplace norms that were somewhat at odds with these open culture ideals. Whistle‐blowing was considered risky, and this led to staff creating informal channels through which to raise concerns. Those who witnessed wrongdoing were aware that support was available from external agencies but preferred local solutions and drew upon personal ethics rather than regulatory edicts to shape their responses. We argue that the importance of workplace relationships and informal channels for raising concerns should be better understood to help prevent the mistreatment of vulnerable groups.</jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)986-1002
Number of pages0
JournalSociology of Health &amp; Illness
Volume36
Issue number7
Early online date10 Apr 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2014

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