GOC publishes 2026 joint whistleblowing disclosures report
The General Optical Council (GOC) has joined nine other health and social care regulators to publish an annual report on whistleblowing disclosures.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2026, there were a total of 23 whistleblowing disclosures raised to the GOC.
All 23 disclosures that we received in 2025-26 were placed into our FTP system for formal assessment. Our decisions are outlined below:
- Eleven resulted in regulatory action being taken.
- Nine were closed with no further action being required.
- Three were closed because there was insufficient information available to progress the concerns.
What have we learned?
There was a 28 percent decrease in the number of disclosures received during 2025-2026, despite an increase in the overall volume of referrals received by the GOC.
A significant proportion of the increase in overall referrals related to consumer matters rather than the more serious workplace or public interest concerns that would ordinarily be expected to constitute qualifying whistleblowing disclosures. Although incoming case volumes increased, the number of matters progressing to formal investigation remained broadly stable.
We received disclosures across a range of issues, including patient safety and clinical care, supervision and training, record keeping, clinical governance, confidentiality and data protection, fraud and dishonesty, health and safety, discrimination, and sexual harassment or inappropriate workplace conduct.
We have also continued to experience challenges in identifying qualifying disclosures where concerns are submitted anonymously. Anonymous disclosures can create evidential difficulties where further information, clarification or supporting evidence is needed. Nevertheless, our approach remains focused on proportionate assessment of the information available and taking regulatory action where the evidence and public protection considerations justify it. We seek to provide early support to potential whistleblowers and encourage their engagement in the regulatory process.
The Whistleblowing disclosures report 2026 is published jointly by the GOC, General Medical Council, General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England.
