This report highlights urgent changes which could make a difference
to patient care post-Francis. Recommendations include: a legal duty of
honesty; an end to “gagging” clauses for departing staff;
whistle-blowing protection rights for patients and their families; legal
rights for patients to participate in producing a care plan; a legal
right to an independent advocate for the most vulnerable patients; as
well as ring-fenced funding for local Healthwatch organisations, and the
replacement of restrictions which could potentially constrain their
freedom to comment on policy.
