NHS Improvement, at the request of the Department for Health and Social Care, has commissioned an independent review into whistleblowing at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

Respected NHS leader Christine Outram MBE, will undertake a rapid assessment of the handling and circumstances surrounding concerns raised in a letter that was sent in October 2018, to the relative of a patient who had died in the Suffolk hospital.

Christine Outram MBE will oversee the investigation, informed by terms of reference published today ensuring that the findings take full account of the NHS’ Freedom To Speak Up policies, processes and guidelines.

Christine is currently chair of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, the specialist cancer centre in Greater Manchester, having served as chief executive of several NHS organisations, after beginning her career in the health service as a patient advocate.

Christine was recognised for her service to the NHS last year in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

The findings and recommendations of the review will be published at the earliest possible opportunity.