Voicing Concern Policy
University of Dundee Medical School
Aim
It is recognised that medical and other clinical students may encounter episodes which distress and concern them but may lack the confidence to raise these or be unsure about normal standards of practice. They may also be unsure who the relevant body might be if the issue concerns clinical teaching or have concerns their progress may be jeopardised. Thus, this policy is designed to encourage students to raise concerns in a supportive environment and informally, in an effort to help The School monitor and raise standards. Medical students may believe they have witnessed poor professional practice and feel some form of action is required. The General Medical Council requires this of qualified doctors and encourages students to behave in a similarly professional manner.
The medical school is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability and thus encourages students to report serious concerns they have regarding standards of clinical care, teaching practice or ‘fitness to practice’.
This will enable an initial supportive discussion before considering if any further action that is appropriate within the university or NHS frameworks. It will also enable us to raise standards globally through a greater awareness of what students’ experience. The Medical School is committed to safeguarding those raising concerns in good faith and to therefore ensuring no adverse impact on their academic studies results.
Scope
This policy reflects our responsibilities under the medical student charter and the shift towards Quality Improvement within the Health Service. It seeks to encourage constructive disclosure and does not prevent students taking further action when they feel this is necessary. There are existing policies within both the university and NHS for reporting complaints about the teaching and facilities, public interest disclosure, unprofessional behaviour and compromised standards of care. Links to these are provided below. This policy compliments the university informal complaints procedure sections 1.2 and 1.3.
What is a ‘serious concern’?
Examples of serious concerns governed by this process include poor quality of care (persistently rude to patients, slapdash or neglectful approach to important tasks) or teaching (persistently late for or chaotic teaching, failure to seek patient consent, abusive to students).
Issues such as financial impropriety, criminal activity, academic dishonesty or unethical behaviours will typically be directed through more appropriate channels.
Safeguards
An important purpose behind this policy statement is to encourage students to highlight poor practice without fear of retaliation or jeopardising progress. Thus, the Medical School undertakes to safeguard those raising concerns under this process in good faith and ensure there will be no adverse impact on their academic studies.
Thus, confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved as far as possible and as described under section 3 of the University Public Interest Disclosure Policy (see below). This is to encourage open disclosure but note that ‘persistent vexatious or malicious’ allegations could result in disciplinary actions.
It must be recognised that anonymity cannot always be guaranteed. (For instance if teaching was 1:1) However, if pursuing the issue will or might reveal your identity you will be asked and may cease proceeding then, unless patient or student safety is at risk.
Process
Initial concerns should be raised and discussed with the designated person? (Sally Bradley - QA Coordinator Curriculum Office Level 7 Ninewells Hospital Dundee
DD1 9SY. 01382 740165). She will advise on the next step, normally in close consultation with at least one other senior medical school or NHS staff member.
Options are:
· Discuss and resolve with student concerned.
· Investigate further internally (for instance contacting other students for their accounts).
· Refer on to other more relevant channels (e.g. if clearly relates to a substantive failure in clinical care).
At each stage you should be clear what, if anything, is to happen next, who is responsible and a likely timeframe.
Following any investigation a report will be made identifying the issues and actions taken. This will be retained by the designated person and copied to you, as well as the subject of the complaint if relevant.
Responsibility for discussions with any member of University for Health Service staff will rest with their immediate manager, Medical School Teaching Dean for the NHS Tayside Teaching Lead.
Existing policies
There are a range of existing complaints and public interest disclosure (whistleblowing) policies in existence within both the University and NHS Tayside. This policy does not supersede those, which should be used if relevant, but seeks to supplement them. These may be found at:
University Public Interest Disclosure Policy (http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/court/policy/whistle.htm)
University Complaints Procedures (http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/academic/Complaints.htm)
NHS Tayside ‘Voicing Concern’ Policy
(http://www.foisa.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/Files/Documents/Class_j/HR51-VoicingConcernPolicy.pdf)
If you have any comments regarding this policy please raise these with the Teaching Dean
May 2008