Protected Disclosures Act 2014

The overarching piece of legislation concerning the protection of workers who raise concerns, The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (“the Act”), was amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.

A formal channel for reporting such concerns has been established in accordance with the Act.

This Protected Disclosures Policy applies to all of our employees at all levels.

Any reference to “worker” means:

a)   All current and former employees (including permanent, temporary, fixed term, casual and substitute); Board and former board members:

b)   Volunteers and former volunteers;

c)   Contractors and consultants engaged to carry out work or services for SIVUH;

d)   Individuals who are introduced or supplied to do work for SIVUH by a third person where the terms on which the individual is engaged to do the work are or were in practice substantially determined by SIVUH, by the third person or by both of them e.g. agency workers;

e)   individuals on work experience pursuant to a training course and trainees of/with SIVUH;

f)    Individuals who are or were members of the administrative, management or supervisory body(ies) of SIVUH; and

g)   job applicants.

h)  Individuals involved in pre contract negotiations

Have you a concern that…

·        the health or welfare of patients or the public may be at risk?

·        your employer/the SIVUH is not meeting their legal obligations?

·        there is a misuse or substantial waste of public funds?

If so, you may report a workplace concern in good faith and on reasonable grounds in accordance with the procedures outlined in the legislation.  You may do so without fear of penalisation from your employer (SIVUH) and also without fear of civil liability.

Before you make a protected disclosure, you should read the Protected Disclosures Policy carefully and ensure that the subject matter of your concern is covered by the legislation. Please note that disclosures must not be merely intended to undermine the reputation of any colleague or service provider. If you make a disclosure which you know or reasonably ought to know to be false, you will be guilty of an offence under the legislation.

The protected disclosures of information form is located in Appendix 1 of the Protected Disclosures Policy.

Designated person for receipt of Protected Disclosures: 

Email: Donovan.Helen@sivuh.ie

Ms. Helen Donovan, CEO, South Infirmary – Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, T12 X23H

Designated person for receipt of Protected Disclosures involving the CEO:

Email: Buckley.Mary@sivuh.ie

Ms. Mary Buckley, Section Officer, Quality and Risk Department, South Infirmary – Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, T12 X23H

Please click on this link to view the SIVUH Protected Disclosures Policy