A chief nurse who was appointed more than two months ago as the first “national guardian” with a remit to support NHS whistleblowers has resigned from the post.
Dame Eileen Sills said she had to step down due to her commitment to patients and staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust, where she was chief nurse.
“It has been a very difficult decision to take, but after two months it is very clear that it is not possible to combine the role of the national guardian – and establishment of the office – with the increasing challenges NHS providers face, while doing justice to both roles,” she said in a statement posted on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website on 4 March.
Predicting that her new job would be “difficult and challenging”, Sills pledged last month to help deliver “a new culture of transparency and openness”.
At the time of her appointment, she said she would work two days a week in her new role, adding: “It is very important to me that I remain present in my NHS trust. My new appointment has to give credibility to the role, but I also need to be there for staff.”
Her decision to step down was seen by some as inevitable amid expectations that the guardian’s position should be a full time one.
Brave decision by Dame Eileen Sills. Surely National Guardian must be a full time position to be effective. https://t.co/m7Zdv6uUUC
— Sarah Holmes MBE (@CalmHolmes) March 4, 2016
Not surprised Eileen Sills quit as national whistleblowers guardian. Chief nurse @ Guys & Thomas' was never going to work as part-time role
— Janet Snell (@Janet_Snell) March 4, 2016
The CQC said that non-executive support to the office of the national guardian had been offered by a CQC board member, Sir Robert Francis QC, until a new appointment is made.
“The office of the national guardian is a vital element in the drive to change the culture of the NHS to one which welcomes and supports staff who raise concerns,” he said.
The need for an independent national guardian for whistleblowers was first highlighted in Robert Francis’ review across the health service in 2014. He found that NHS staff who blow the whistle on substandard and dangerous practices were being ignored, bullied or even intimidated in a “climate of fear”.
