QC: whistleblowers body can be independent

A new system which has been brought in to help NHS whistleblowers, the National Guardian, is facing problems.

Dame Eileen Sills resigned two months after she had started the job and her deputy left after only six weeks in the role.

Critics say the National Guardian should be independent from the Department of Health and should have more powers to investigate ill treatment of whistleblowers.

Sir Robert Francis QC chaired an NHS whistleblowing review. He is now a non-executive director of the Care Quality Commission. Speaking to Martha Kearney, he rejected the criticism that the new role cannot act independently.

( Photo: National health service sign Credit: NHS )