The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has restated the importance of upholding a learn not blame culture across the NHS and wider justice system.
It comes in light of recent calls for police investigation into Dr Ravi Jayaram’s testimony in the Lucy Letby trial.
Dr Jayaram was one of the first clinicians to raise concerns about Lucy Letby’s conduct.
Whistleblowers in the NHS already face considerable personal and professional risk in speaking up, often in hostile or unsupportive environments.
We are deeply concerned that actions which publicly cast whistleblowers as potential criminals — absent clear evidence of intent — risk deterring others from raising patient safety concerns in future.
There is currently no public evidence that Dr Jayaram’s account amounts to intentional perjury.
Variations in recollection over time are not uncommon, particularly in high-stress clinical contexts and after many years have passed.
Such matters must be handled carefully and, where necessary, through appropriate judicial processes such as the Thirlwall Inquiry or the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
We urge all parties to act with restraint and integrity while this case continues to undergo review.
The pursuit of justice must not come at the cost of trust in those who speak up for patients.
