Freedom to speak up
When things go wrong in the delivery of care, the quality of the care we provide can be affected. That is why everyone who works in the Trust should feel free to speak up, even when they are not sure whether there is a serious issue at stake or not.
All staff have a responsibility to consider any situation that may affect patient care or have implications for the welfare of staff or Trust resources.
Staff can discuss any concern that they have with their manager. They will advise of the action they will take to address the issue. In most cases this will ensure that the issue is resolved.
If a staff member feels that it is not possible to discuss the matter with their manager, they can raise their concern with the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Linda Douglas.
Staff can also raise concern with regulatory and professional bodies:
- British Medical Association (BMA) guidance for doctors and medical students
- General Medical Council (GMC) guidance for doctors on raising and acting on concerns including revised Confidentiality guidance (effective 25 April 2017)
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidance and toolkits for nurses and midwives
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) guidance for health care professionals
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidance for health and care staff on escalating a concern with the CQC
- The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) advice to clinicians on what to do if they consider patients are receiving poor care
- The National Guardian’s Office supports trusts’ Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
- Review into Speaking Up at the Trust - National Guardian's Office