Steve Dunn, the trust’s chief executive at the time, resigned after the hunt for the whistleblower was made public in 2020. Dr Mills continues to work at the trust.
Dr Mills believes she was able to return to work because, unusually, her case led to senior executives losing their jobs.
The whistleblower is calling for the way NHS managers are assessed to be reformed.
She said: “I think there’s a very good case for a ‘fit and proper persons’ test deciding that if you have persecuted someone who has raised patient safety concerns, then there’s no place for you in the NHS.”
An inquest into the death of Mrs Warby concluded that the anaesthetist named in the letter was not directly responsible for her death.
Dr Ewen Cameron, chief executive of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We accept full responsibility and have apologised to the staff and family affected by the failings surrounding the whistleblowing case…
“Whilst we’ve come a long way, we know there is more to do.”
Justice for Doctors, a group for whistleblowers founded during the pandemic and has held regular online meetings ever since, held its first in-person patient safety conference on Thursday at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.
Salam Al-Sam, the group’s founder, told attendees that the persecution of whistleblowers was a “system failure” in the NHS, where a “fear culture” stopped many people from speaking up.
Responding to The Telegraph’s investigation, Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, said on Thursday: “The ability for professionals to report their concerns, to me, is a vital part of ensuring that our healthcare system meets the needs of patients and indeed of other staff members.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
