BOSSES at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospitals have pledged to support ‘whistleblowers’ who bring forward concerns about patient care.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has signed up to support the ‘Speak Out Safely’ campaign spearheaded by the Nursing Times, which aims to create an NHS that is open and transparent, and actively encourages staff to raise the alarm.

The trust said it supports staff and volunteers who raise any concerns they may have about patient safety, and assures them that they will be handled appropriately.

Jim Birrell, interim chief executive, said: “It is really important that everybody working at the trust feels empowered to raise any concerns they may have at the earliest opportunity.

“We promise to treat those staff without prejudice, and without any detriment to their career.

“We owe it to our patients to make their safety our main concern, and where this may be at risk, then we rely on our staff to tell us about it, and ensure that those staff will not suffer as a result.”