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A former lead prosecutor has been hired to investigate allegations of a “poor culture” within Britain’s nursing regulator following a major investigation by the agency. independent person.
Nazir Afzal will lead the third independent inquiry into the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which has been accused of ignoring whistleblowers’ concerns due to “deeply harmful practices”.
In a series of stories last year, independent person The regulator has raised serious allegations that midwives and nurses accused of serious sexual, physical and racial abuse were allowed to continue working due to a “culture of fear” within the organization. revealed.
Documents viewed independent person It revealed that amid pressure to clear a huge backlog of cases, NMC staff reported being too scared to report concerns about inadequate processes.
In response to the investigation, the NMC launched three independent investigations. The first two whistle-blowing cases were led by KC chief Ijeoma Omanbara, while Afzal will lead the third.
Mr Afzal recently led an investigation into the London Fire Brigade, which found it to be “institutionally misogynistic and racist”.
During his career as chief prosecutor in the North West, he led the prosecution of high-profile cases including the Rochdale grooming gang and the case against former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall.
The promise looks like this independent person The story of nurse Michelle Russell has been revealed. She has been in a seven-year battle with regulators after she raised sexual harassment allegations against another nurse.
NMC chief executive Andrea Sutcliffe wrote in a message to staff on Tuesday: .
“We recognize that we still have a long way to go to build the full trust and confidence of our people. Our culture review and research will help us learn and improve, and all colleagues at NMC will continue to support our objectives. We want them to feel valued and supported to carry out their work effectively and make fair decisions that protect public safety.”
The whistleblower, whose evidence prompted the NMC investigation, said: ‘The NMC has spent £300,000 on these investigations, none of which have shown that senior leaders have directed systematic harassment of staff who have raised concerns. “And that doesn’t override my concern that they’re covering it up.”
“I have been treated this way since my whistle-blowing, despite the NMC’s public allegations and the intense scrutiny it is currently facing. , does not give access to how HR dealt with this, including the use of non-disclosure agreements.
“Any investigation based on such limited information will not be able to draw any meaningful conclusions and the misuse of registration fees at a time when the NMC could be directing this money towards resolving its large backlog of cases. I believe it is.”