- Governance & Legal
Whistleblowing
- Governance & Legal
- ESG & Social
Purpose
Saint Visage Dental Group is committed to the highest standards of openness, integrity, and accountability. This Speak-Up Policy encourages and enables employees, associates, contractors, and other stakeholders to raise genuine concerns about wrongdoing, malpractice, or risks to patient safety without fear of retaliation.
Scope
This policy applies to all individuals working at or with Saint Visage Dental Group, including employees, associates, locum workers, agency staff, contractors, suppliers, and volunteers across all practices and the central support team.
What Can Be Reported
You are encouraged to raise concerns about any of the following:
- Patient safety risks or clinical malpractice.
- Fraud, financial irregularities, or bribery.
- Criminal activity, including theft and assault.
- Failure to comply with legal, regulatory, or professional obligations.
- Damage to the environment.
- Health and safety risks to staff or patients.
- Bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
- Deliberate concealment of any of the above.
How to Raise a Concern
We encourage you to raise concerns initially through the following channels:
- Your line manager or practice principal — in many cases, the most appropriate first step.
- The Group Compliance Officer — for concerns about practice-level management or where you feel unable to speak to your line manager.
- Confidential email: speakup@saintvisage.co.uk — monitored by the Group Compliance Officer and a designated board member.
You may raise concerns verbally or in writing. While we encourage you to identify yourself (as this helps us investigate thoroughly), anonymous reports will also be considered and investigated where possible.
Our Commitment to You
Saint Visage Dental Group will not tolerate any form of retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine concern in good faith. Any individual who subjects a whistleblower to detrimental treatment will face disciplinary action, which may include dismissal.
- All concerns will be treated seriously and investigated promptly.
- Confidentiality will be maintained as far as possible, consistent with the need to conduct a thorough investigation.
- You will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation, subject to legal constraints.
- You will not suffer any detriment for raising a concern in good faith, even if the concern is not subsequently upheld.
Investigation Process
Upon receiving a concern, we will acknowledge receipt within 3 working days and provide an initial assessment within 10 working days. Depending on the nature and severity of the concern, the investigation may involve internal review, engagement of external investigators, or referral to the relevant regulatory authority.
External Reporting
If you feel that your concern has not been adequately addressed internally, or if you believe the matter is exceptionally serious, you may contact the following external bodies:
- General Dental Council (GDC): For concerns about dental professionals’ fitness to practise.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC): For concerns about the quality and safety of care.
- NHS Counter Fraud Authority: For concerns about fraud within the NHS.
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE): For health and safety concerns.
- Speak Up
Confidential email: speakup@saintvisage.co.uk
All reports are treated in the strictest confidence.
Questions about our policies?
Our governance team is available to discuss any aspect of our policies and procedures.