Freedom to Speak Up

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We have welcomed the publication Robert Francis QC’s Freedom to Speak Up report which recommends measures to ensure NHS staff are free to speak up about patient safety concerns.

Hospital bosses in Worcestershire have welcomed the publication of a report which recommends measures to ensure NHS staff are free to speak up about patient safety concerns.

Robert Francis QC’s Freedom to Speak Up report sets out 20 principles and actions which aim to create the right conditions for NHS staff to speak up, share what works right across the NHS and get all organisations up to the standard of the best and provide redress when things go wrong in future.

One of the recommendations is for hospitals to have a Freedom To Speak Up guardian in place – a named person in every hospital to give independent support and advice to staff who want to speak up and hold the board to account it fails to focus on the patient safety issue.

This is a role already being carried out by Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust’s ‘Being Open champion’ – non-executive director Stephen Howarth.

As a new initiative, a standing item on whistleblowing will also be included on every public Trust Board meeting agenda. It will be all directors’ responsibility (in line with duty of candour) to advise the board if they are aware of any whistleblowing activity. This will allow the Board to be made aware of the issue, and to seek assurance on how it is being handled.

A number of ways for staff at the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals to raise concerns are already in place. As well as being encouraged to raise concerns directly with their line manager or clinical lead, staff can also attend surgeries with the chairman, informal meetings with the Chief Executive where Chatham House rules apply, ‘How was it for you’ sessions with the Chief Nursing Officer, and call a confidential whistleblowing hotline.

 Whistleblowing – Raising concerns policy and procedure