Ombudsman comments on Francis whistleblowing statement

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Julie Mellor said:

I welcome Sir Robert  Francis' focus on 'just culture' which looks at whether the safety issue has  been addressed rather than who is to blame.

'We are delighted the description we developed with  patients of their expectations for raising concerns and complaints will be  adapted to apply to NHS staff. This puts patients and whistleblowers at the  heart of the way safety concerns are dealt with.'