Witnessing Sub-Standard/Unsafe Practice Policy

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Science Placement Office

James Watson West

2 King Richard I Road

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO1 2FR

T: +44(0) 2392845530

F: +44(0) 2392844402

Contents

Witnessing Sub-Standard/Unsafe Practice

How to write a statement

What to Include In a statement

What to do Next

Witnessing Sub-Standard/Unsafe Practice

On rare occasions students may witness practice that they feel are below the standard expected of those involved in care delivery, or unprofessional behaviour between staff. If you witness practice/s that give you cause for concern you should report this as soon as possible to the person in charge of the area you are working in or to the Education Lead for the Dept/Trust. Alternatively you may wish to report it to your Course Leader at the University who will refer the issue on to the relevant practice area. This process of reporting substandard practice is often called “whistle blowing.” All NHS Trusts have a whistle blowing policy.

Both the University and placement providers are anxious to reduce poor professional behavior and practice and wish to encourage staff and students to report any concerns they may have. You need to be aware that your concerns may need to be passed on to other bodies such as professional and regulatory bodies and/or the police.

Whistle blowing policies are intended to cover serious public interest concerns such as those listed below:-

•Conduct which is an offence or breach of the law

•Disclosures related to miscarriage of justice

•Health and safety risks, including risks to patients/visitors as well as other members of staff

•Damage to the environment

•Sexual or physical abuse of patients, or other unethical conduct

•Drug and alcohol abuse

•Poor clinical practice

•Malpractice - illegal or negligent professional activity or treatment.

•Professional misconduct - unacceptable or improper behaviour

•Nepotism - favouritism shown to relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs

Where you are asked to attend meetings relating to the concern you may ask a friend, colleague, personal tutor, a member of Faculty Placement Team or a Student Union representative to accompany you provided that the person is not involved in the investigation.

In most cases you will be required to make a formal statement outlining your concerns. You’reCourse Leader and your Personal Tutor will offer you guidance about how to go about writing this although they cannot write the statement for you.

Other sources of help may be Student Counselling Services and the Students’ Union

How to write a statement

•Write notes as soon after the event as possible and use these to aid writing your statement

•Write in the first person

•Use plain, clear language and avoid jargon and abbreviations

•Be precise and concise

•Use paragraphs

•Organise your report chronologically, giving dates

•Include full details

•Stick to the facts, do not give opinions

•Only write what you have seen and not what you think may have happened

What to include in a statement

A brief statement of who you are and what your placement job is e.g.:- Student Radiographer

•Date, time and place of incident

•Others who were involved – name and position

•Background information (E.g. one off incident or a series of incidents, circumstances, environment)

•What you actually saw

•What action you took

•The outcomes that resulted

•How you felt about what you witnessed

•If information has come from a third party this must be made clear (e.g. “I was informed by Dr Bloggs”)

•Date of your statement

•Your signature

REMEMBER TO KEEP A COPY OF YOUR STATEMENT

l:\science\staff\science faculty\placements\policies and guidelines\unsafe practice.docxPage 1