Sir, Dr David Ward and Professor Jane Somerville (letter, Apr 15; news, Apr 12) raise an important issue with regard to whistleblower protection in the NHS but the presence or absence of such protection is unlikely to be a major cause of doctors leaving the health service prematurely. A well-run NHS trust will have mechanisms for reporting concerns, and people of courage will speak up. More difficult are seniority-based interpersonal conflicts and the difficulty in auditing outcomes that appear inadequate. Many have left the health service prematurely on account of the idiotic tax structure and because pensions were generous; not to mention the turgidity of management.
I was once summoned by the hierarchy for a rap over the knuckles, only to learn that
