Whistleblowing staff in HSE-funded services are afraid to report issues of concern to their bosses as they risk being ignored or discredited, the Confidential Recipient has said. Ms Gath said in many circumstances, staff felt they could not have their identities revealed because of fear of reprisal from their employers or other staff. She said a number of staff, who contacted her office anonymously, had initially used their own service protocols for reporting abuse. Of these, 169 related to social care services, 22 in mental health and five in other services such as private nursing homes and primary care. She also said breaks in communication between the public and their local HSE office mean she will be contacted over a relatively small issue.

Source: The Irish Times March 28, 2018 18:22 UTC