Hospital Held Liable for Discriminating Against Whistleblower Clinician
Hospital bosses often look at profit margins and not at the welfare of their patients. They may try to save money in ways that might not be good for the health and safety of patients. Since such cost-cutting measures employed in hospitals can cost someone his life, it is important that someone argues against their implementation.
However, people who raise such concerns can find themselves in a tight spot as the senior management of the hospital may take an exception to their views on policy issues. While incensing bosses can cost one one’s job even the law does not help much with such issues. This is what Dr. Ramon Niekrash, a urologist at the
When Dr. Niekrash raised concerns over some cost-cutting measures introduced by NHS bosses at his hospital he was suspended. Thereafter, he instituted legal proceedings against his employers claiming he was being discriminated against for his non-agreement with NHS policies. Even though Dr. Niekrash has now won the legal battle, he has cautioned people before they disagree with their bosses on policy matters.
In an interview with The Independent, Dr. Niekrash said people who argued with their bosses’ decisions were on their own with even the law being helpless.
According to Dr. Niekrash’s lawyer, Arpita Dutt of Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors, it is important that this issue is considered urgently otherwise the NHS system may soon become unsafe for patients. She said bosses interested in making money will cut costs and without someone to argue against such measures patients may suffer. Dutt added that this case highlights the need to protect individuals who are courageous enough to raise an objection to the top management’s unfair policies.
All organisations need to make appropriate efforts to protect the well-being of staff, the Certificate in Employment Relations Law and Practice (CERLAP) by Workplace Law, imparts training to managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills to implement best practice in employment law, recruitment and selection.
