2024 health and social care regulators report on whistleblowing disclosures published

The General Optical Council (GOC) has joined nine other health and social care regulators to publish an annual report on whistleblowing disclosures.  

Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, there were a total of 29 whistleblowing disclosures raised to the GOC.  

All 29 disclosures received were placed into our fitness to practise triage system for formal assessment. Of the 29 disclosures:  

• Three cases were closed as either consent was not given by the referrer for us to progress further and/or identify the registrant, and we were not provided with sufficient information to identify to obtain relevant evidence; 

• Three cases did not meet our acceptance criteria for onward referral; 

• Three cases were referred for consideration to another body; 

• Three cases were referred to our illegal practice team to take forward; 

• Two cases are currently under review; and  

• 15 investigations were opened with 12 ongoing, three were closed at case examiner stage. 

What have we learned? 

There was a 93 percent increase in the number of disclosures received during 2023-2024, however these still account for just 7 percent of the total referrals received for the year. This may be a slight overestimation due to our cautious approach when identifying if the matter is a qualified disclosure. 

It can be difficult to identify a qualifying disclosure when they come through anonymously. Despite this, we were able to open investigations and take them forward with limited information.  

Although there has been improvement in this area, there have been some difficulties with complainants withdrawing or not providing consent for fear of reprisal. We have taken proactive steps to share the Speaking Up guidance where this had been raised, along with access to our Governance team. Our ‘Speaking up’ guidance can help our registrants address some of the difficulties they have encountered when speaking up, or when thinking of doing so. 

The Whistleblowing disclosures report 2024 is published jointly by the GOC, General Medical Council, General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England.  

Read the full Whistleblowing disclosures report 2024.