Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has backed calls for the SNP Scottish Government to extend the whistle-blowing helpline for NHS staff and employees in the social care sector. The Scottish Government agreed to introduce a national confidential alert line for NHS staff in April 2013. The free hotline for NHS staff is currently run by Public Concern at Work, an independent and impartial organisation, and callers are not required to provide their name or other identifying details. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fifesaid: “Scottish Conservatives supported the establishment of the national confidential NHS helpline which has provided the opportunity for NHS staff to confidentially raise their concerns.“In England the whistle-blowing helpline for NHS staff is being extended to staff and employers in the social care sector. This has given NHS staff and social care workers the confidence to report abuse or raise concerns about patient and service user safety without fear of victimisation or personal reprisal.“It is vital that we build a culture of openness within out NHS where our NHS staff feel able to raise concerns and suggest improvements.”