The Evolution of Whistleblowing Protection in Healthcare on a European Level

Abstract

The protection of whistleblowers in healthcare is necessary to ensure quality of care by raising concerns about suspected breaches of human rights and Union law. This protection has evolved over the years through initiatives from the European Council, which were also taken into account in two rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Parliament. However, these initiatives implement a general framework rather than focussing directly on healthcare. This article therefore starts from analysing the general protection. Hereinafter, the relevance for the healthcare sector will be examined for each of the involved initiatives.