NHS whistleblowers: 'Patients must be protected'

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned NHS bosses against allowing a culture that is "legalistic and defensive" in dealing with staff who raise concerns over patient care.

In a letter to all English NHS trusts, Mr Hunt highlighted fears that "gagging" clauses were being used to "frustrate" such whistleblowing.

Speaking to the BBC, Health Minister Lord Howe said that NHS workers had to be able to speak out in order to ensure that patients were protected.