Health Secretary Faces Criticism Over Whistleblower Allegations in Nursing Scandal

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is under fire for allegedly neglecting a whistleblower who played a crucial role in exposing serious issues within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). An independent review led by Nazir Afzal revealed systemic racism and a "toxic culture" within the NMC, which jeopardized both public safety and the welfare of nurses. The review was initiated following revelations in The Independent that the NMC had allowed unfit nurses to continue practicing. The whistleblower, who reached out to Streeting multiple times since September 2022, claims to have received no response from his office. In a recent email, the whistleblower expressed frustration over being ignored and urged for the removal of NMC chair Sir David Warren and interim chief Helen Herniman. The whistleblower's initial outreach coincided with the publication of The Independent's first report on the scandal, raising questions about the government's commitment to addressing such serious allegations. Streeting's office defended his lack of response, stating that he could not act on behalf of the whistleblower as he was not their MP at the time. However, former MP Ben Bradshaw had previously supported the whistleblower's claims and called for government action. Streeting has publicly committed to enhancing protections for whistleblowers, emphasizing the need for a culture that encourages reporting rather than silencing. In light of the review's findings, both Streeting and Minister Karin Smyth have urged Sir David to discuss the NMC's response, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issues raised by the whistleblower and ensuring accountability within the organization.