Care Quality Commission hires Baby P whistleblower to improve system for raising social care concerns

A doctor who had warned about problems at the clinic where Peter Connelly (Baby P) was seen days before his death has been hired as a whistleblowing advisor by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Paediatrician Kim Holt flagged up concerns to senior management in 2006 about understaffing and poor record keeping at St Ann’s clinic, part of Great Ormond Street Hospital. In 2007, Baby P died just three days after being seen by a locum doctor at the same clinic.

Holt started her temporary role as a professional advisor for the CQC last week by leading a workshop with people who have whistleblowing experience, who discussed the issues they have faced and the barriers that can prevent staff from raising concerns.

“The feedback will help us to develop our new approach to regulating health and adult social care services, which will include assessing how providers listen to and treat whistleblowers,” said a statement on the CQC’s website.

“It will also give us a better understanding of the experiences of staff who raise concerns and the issues whistleblowers face.”

Dr Holt said: “I hope my own journey as a whistleblower and my experience of speaking with many others who have raised concerns will help CQC develop new ways of responding.”