I AM writing with reference to the article ‘Dorset Healthcare Trust head asked to respond to abuse claims’ (January 12).

The article stated there were two incidents of whistleblowing at the healthcare trust, one involved the abuse of a disabled person with a learning difficulty and the other was a complaint by a member of trust staff that excessive force had been used against an in-patient.

Whistleblowing staff working in the NHS rarely ever report co-workers lightly.

This is because there is usually high personal risk attached to reporting incidents of misconduct, such individuals usually have high personal and professional integrity and a need to maintain ethical standards.

I was quite concerned that the PCT’s governance committee was so readily satisfied after reading a letter from the chief executive of Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust that no abuse had occurred.

The complaints were effectively dismissed as untrue and future potential whistleblowers may now be reluctant to come forward.

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