Book review: Whistle Blowing and Ethics in Health and Social Care

Whistle Blowing and Ethics in Health and Social Care

Angie Ash

Jessica Kingsley

£17.99 | 184pp

ISBN: 9781849056328

Accessible in the language used and style of presentation, the book’s nine chapters pose questions and conundrums. Each is sub-divided, affording readers the opportunity to access what they may be looking for in the first instance and then be led to other sections. 

Three strands or themes are described: organisational culture and leadership; whistleblowing as a moral activity; and policy and regulatory systems and frameworks. 

The book enables readers to understand whistleblowing and the challenges and opportunities faced by the individual and the organisation when this happens. The author acknowledges the media culture around whistleblowing, noting the heroes and villains that often surround events.

Morals and ethics

There is discussion about the culture and context in which we work and the moral and ethical challenges of health and social care. 

The desire for action to evolve from whistleblowing to open dialogue and raising concerns is clear and the final postscript is helpful to the reader and potential whistleblower. 

This book would be an asset to nurses in many areas including older people’s nursing. I would also recommend it for leadership programmes or modules.

Reviewed by Ailsa McMillan, lecturer in division of nursing, School of Health Sciences at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh