Confidential Reporting & Non-Retaliation Standard

GeNext MedEd Foundation — Confidential Reporting & Non-Retaliation Standard

Document code: GMEF-ETH-006
Version: 1.0
Status: Controlled working standard

Purpose
Provides a protected route for reporting serious academic, ethical, governance, privacy, safety, financial-integrity, research-integrity or professional-conduct concerns where ordinary supervisory channels may be unsuitable.

Reporting channels
The Foundation should designate at least one confidential reporting route independent of the immediate programme supervisor. Reports may be named or, where technically and legally feasible, anonymous.

Good-faith reporting
A person raising a concern in good faith should not face retaliation, academic disadvantage, exclusion from opportunities, threats or adverse treatment because of the report or participation in a review.

Intake
Each report receives a restricted case reference. The recipient assesses urgency, conflicts, confidentiality needs, evidence preservation and whether another competent institutional/statutory authority must be involved.

Confidentiality
Identity is disclosed only where reasonably necessary for fair review, protection, action or legal obligation. Absolute confidentiality cannot be promised where disclosure is required by law or essential to a fair process.

Malicious reports
Knowingly false or malicious allegations may themselves breach professional-conduct standards. This does not include reports made honestly that are later unsubstantiated.

Record retention
Case records are stored separately from routine learner/faculty records with access restricted to authorised roles.