Whistleblowing Protection — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateEthics & ProfessionalismWhistleblowing ProtectionMFDS Part 1

An employed dental nurse in England reasonably believes that repeated failures in instrument decontamination are endangering patients. She reports the matter in the public interest to the practice owner through the practice's raising-concerns procedure and is subsequently threatened with dismissal. Which legislation introduced the statutory protection relevant to this protected disclosure?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

A is correct. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 introduced statutory whistleblowing protection by amending the Employment Rights Act 1996. It protects eligible workers from dismissal or other detriment when they make a qualifying disclosure in the public interest through an appropriate route. The scenario identifies an employed worker, a patient-safety danger and an appropriate internal disclosure. The Mental Capacity Act governs decision-making for people who lack capacity. The Equality Act addresses unlawful discrimination and protected characteristics. The Data Protection Act governs processing of personal data, while the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act imposes workplace safety duties but is not the legislation introducing whistleblowing protection. Separately, GDC Principle 8 places a professional duty on dental registrants to raise concerns when patients may be at risk.

Reference: UK Home Office, Whistleblowing and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (c.23), section 'The law—what protections exist for whistleblowers', updated 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/whistleblowing-and-the-public-interest-disclosure-act-1998-c23/whistleblowing-and-the-public-interest-disclosure-act-1998-c23-accessible-version