Whistleblowing Quarter 2 Report
North Ayrshire Council · 12 February 2026
Back to Integration Joint Board — 12 February 2026 and its agenda
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Appendix 1 Whistleblowing Quarter 2 Report 1 July – 30 September 2025
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2 of 7 1. Introduction This report provides details of whistleblowing concerns raised across the organisation by staff and those who provide services on behalf of NHS Ayrshire & Arran. This report demonstrates our performance in the national key indicators as required by the INWO and includes key areas of whistleblowing handling, as well as highlighting outcomes and whistleblowing themes. Over time, this approach will illustrate trends and, more importantly, allow us to evidence necessary improvement and learning in response to the trends and themes demonstrated. 2. Learning, changes or improvements to service or procedures (KPI-1) System-wide learning, changes or improvements to services can be limited by the need to maintain confidentiality of individual whistleblowers. For each concern that is upheld, or partially upheld, an agreed improvement plan is put in place to address any shortcomings or apply the identified learning. The plan is agreed by the Commissioning Director for the investigation and delivery monitored through the department’s governance group, agreed with the Commissioning Director. The Corporate Governance Coordinator maintains oversight of progress against plans whilst actions transition from the whistleblowing process to business-as-usual action/improvement plans. The Whistleblowing Oversight Group receive updates on progress on a quarterly basis. There is one open improvement plan from a case raised in 2024/25, with the investigation concluded May 2025 and the investigation report and improvement plan approved by the Commissioning Directly by early August. Progress is being monitored through the Acute Services governance group with oversight from the Corporate Governance Coordinator. The table below shows the status of plans from cases raised in 2024/25. Year Stage Investig ations Investigations Improvement Plans Learning Plans Open Closed Open Closed Open Closed 2024/25 Stage 1 1 - 1* - - - - Stage 2 3 1 2** 1 - - - Table 1 *There was no improvement plan for the Stage 1 concern closed in Q3 2024/25. **There is no improvement plan for the Stage 2 concern raised in Q2 2024/25, as the unit in question has since been closed. The recommendations from the report are intended for Senior Management’s consideration should a similar unit be established in the future. 3. Experience of individuals raising concern/s (KPI-2) Individuals who raise concerns are given the opportunity to feedback on their experience of the whistleblowing process once the process has concluded. Any feedback received is viewed as learning and helps us to make improvements in our processes as appropriate.
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3 of 7 An anonymous feedback survey is shared with those involved in the whistleblowing process. This includes the individual who raised the concern and those involved with the investigation. As no concerns were closed in this quarter there is no feedback to report. 4. Level of staff perception, awareness and training (KPI-3) The Whistleblowing Policy and process continues to be highlighted to new staff as part of the Corporate Induction Programme and to newly appointed managers and leaders during training sessions. Monthly reports are produced to monitor completion of the Turas Whistleblowing eLearning modules. Table 2 shows the position for Q2 2025/26. Programme Completed Increase Current Staff % staff completed 30/06/2025 30/09/2025 An overview (Staff) 4885 5107 222 11731 43.5% For Line Managers 317 338 21 997 82.6% For Senior Managers 476 486 10 Table 2 Going forward communications will be refreshed via Daily Digest, eNews and through line managers to remind staff that completion of the relevant Turas Whistleblowing modules is mandatory for all line managers and senior managers and to encourage uptake and completion of modules. 5. Whistleblowing concerns received (KPI-4) Table 3 below shows the total number of concerns received in quarter 2 through the whistleblowing process and at what stage. Total concerns received Q2 Appropriate for WB Stage 1 Stage 2 2 2 - 2 Table 3 Two concerns were received in Q2: • Correspondence was received from the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO), advising that a complaint had been submitted regarding the NHSAA decision on concerns previously raised and an outcome that these did not meet the definition of whistleblowing. Following assessment, the INWO has determined that the concerns meet the definition of whistleblowing and fall within the scope of the National Whistleblowing Standards. As a result, the INWO has referred the matter back to NHSAA for progression under the whistleblowing procedure. The case is being progressed and Investigators have been appointed with HR support being identified to assist with the investigation. There has been ongoing engagement and support provided to the complainant. • The second concern was highlighted via a Confidential Contact who supported the Complainant to submit a statement for consideration. It was agreed that the
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4 of 7 concerns met the definition of whistleblowing and the matter is being progressed under Stage 2 of the whistleblowing process. Identification of an appropriate investigator is underway. No immediate risk was identified to patient safety in the concerns received in Q2, with no action required. Chart 1 below shows the number of concerns progressed as whistleblowing (Stage 1 and Stage 2) received in Q2 compared with Q2 in previous years. Chart 1 6. Concerns closed (KPI-5) This indicator reports on the numbers of concerns closed at Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the procedure as a percentage of all concerns closed. Table 4 shows that during Q2 2025/26 concerns raised at Stage 2 in Q2/Q3 of 2024/25 were concluded and formally closed during this reporting period. The Stage 2 concerns received in in Q4 2024/25 and this quarter are ongoing Year Quarter Stage Total Closed Ongoing % Closed against received 2024/25 Q2 Stage 2 1 1 - 100% Q3 Stage 1 1 1 - 100% Q3 Stage 2 1 1 - 100% Q4 Stage 2 1 - 1 2025/26 Q2 Stage 2 2 - 2 0% Table 4 7. Concerns outcomes (KPI-6) This indicator reports on concerns upheld, partially upheld and not upheld at each stage of the whistleblowing procedures as a percentage of all concerns closed in full at each stage. 0 1 2 3 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Number of WB concerns (Stage 1 & 2) Comparison Q2 2021/22 - 2025/26 St1 St2
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5 of 7 7.1 The definition of a Stage 1 concern - Early resolution is for simple and straightforward concerns that involve little or no investigation and can be handled by providing an explanation or taking limited action, within 5 working days. No stage 1 concerns were received during Q2. 7.2 The definition of a Stage 2 concern - are concerns which tend to be serious or complex and need a detailed examination before the organisation can provide a response within 20 working days. Year Stage Total Concerns Not Upheld Partially Upheld Fully Upheld 2024/25 Stage 2 3 1 33.3% 1 33.3% - - 2025/26 Stage 2 2 - - - - - - Table 5 Two Stage 2 concerns raised in Q2 and Q3 of 2024/25 were concluded and formally closed during this reporting period. One Stage 2 concern from Q4 2024/25 and two received in Q2 of 2025/26 remain ongoing. 8. Timeliness of handling whistleblowing concerns (KPIs 7, 8, 9 and 10) This section reports on: 8.1 KPI-7 The average time in working days for a full response at each stage of the whistleblowing procedure As the investigations into concerns received during this quarter are still ongoing, there is currently no data available to report against the relevant indicators. However, Table 6 presents the average response time for the two concerns closed in 2025/26 that were originally opened in 2024/25. Average response time in working days Stage 1 (5 days) 2024/25 Average time in working days for responses 13 No of cases closed at stage 1 within timescale as % 0% No of stage 1 cases extended 1 Stage 2 (20 days) Q2 2024/25 Average time in working days for responses 176 No of cases closed at stage 2 within timescale as % 0% No of stage 2 cases extended 3 Table 6 8.2 KPI-8 Number and percentage of concerns closed in full within set timescales As the investigations into concerns received during this quarter are still ongoing, there is currently no data available to report against the relevant indicators.
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6 of 7 8.3 KPI-9 and 10 Concerns where an extension was authorised Due to the complexity of the concerns received this quarter, the it is anticipated that the investigations will exceed the Stage 2 timescale of 20 working days. The individuals who raised the concerns have been informed of the need to extend the investigation period accordingly. 9. Whistleblowing themes, trends and patterns This section provides information on themes from whistleblowing concerns raised and will aid identification of any improvement priorities, and to progress learning in a targeted manner. 9.1 Breakdown by themes The Stage 2 concerns received in Q2 aligned with patient care/safety, workplace culture and service delivery as shown in Table 7. A culture of bullying has been indicated and will be considered as part of the investigation. Themes 2025/26 Q1 Q2 Patient Care - 1 Patient Safety - 1 Poor Practice - 1 Unsafe working conditions - 1 Fraud - 0 Changing or falsifying information about performance - 0 Breaking legal obligations - 0 Abusing Authority - 0 Table 7 9.2 Breakdown of concerns by service The two Stage 2 concerns received in Q2 relate to North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP). It is not possible to provide detail of the working area as this may impact the confidentiality of the whistleblower. 10. Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) 10.1 Referrals to the INWO A clear indicator of the satisfaction of those who raise concerns can be derived from the number of concerns that are escalated to the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO). As outlined in Section 5 of the report, during Q2 the organisation received correspondence from the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) confirming receipt of a complaint about the organisation’s decision that concerns were not eligible for whistleblowing. The INWO concluded that the concerns meet the definition of whistleblowing and referred the matter back to the Board for progression under the whistleblowing procedure.
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7 of 7 10.2 INWO Stage 3 investigation reports Under the Standards, individuals who are dissatisfied with how their whistleblowing concerns have been investigated and addressed by Health Boards may escalate their complaint to the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer. The INWO conducts independent investigations and publishes findings, outcomes and key learnings on its website. INWO website. In this quarter no whistleblowing cases were escalated to the INWO. 11. Speak Up week Speak Up Week is a national annual engagement initiative launched by the INWO in 2022. This year’s event took place from 29 September to 3 October. Building on previous years and incorporating participant feedback, the INWO 2025 theme was "Listen, Act, Build Trust", highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of openness, responsiveness, and integrity. Due to resource constraints, this year’s Speak Up Week was delivered through digital engagement and communications channels.