Addressing sexual misconduct in healthcare and the role of whistleblowing are among the issues to be discussed during the annual RCSI medical professionalism conference, which takes place today.

The conference will hear medical professional and patient perspectives on raising concerns in healthcare, while hearing testimonies from whistleblowers. It will explore the ethical, professional and legal duty of medical professionals to raise concerns when appropriate, as well as protection for whistleblowers and the educational interventions that can encourage a culture of raising concerns.  

Professor Carrie Newlands, co-lead on the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery at the University of Surrey School of Medicine, will share insights from her work to understand sexual misconduct in healthcare.  

Dr Ravi Jayaram, who was among those who raised concerns about former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby, will give an account of his experience as a whistleblower. 

Stephen Teap, CervicalCheck campaigner and co-founder of 221plus, will share his personal view on the impact of the Cervical Check scandal. 

Professor Denis Harkin, Chair of Medical Professionalism at RCSI, said: “Today’s conference provides us the opportunity to emphasise the importance of raising concerns in healthcare and to learn from the lived experience of whistleblowers. These conversations are important in allowing us to reflect on how we can move forward in encouraging and supporting a culture of raising concerns.” 

RCSI’s Centre for Medical Professionalism aims to provide global leadership in medical professionalism to achieve excellence in patient care and experience, caring for those who care and promoting a healthier society, through innovation in research, education and practice.