The head of a national initiative encouraging NHS staff to raise concerns at work has visited Frimley Health to learn more about the programme’s success at the Trust.

October is Speak Up Month and National Guardian for the NHS Dr Henrietta Hughes has been to Wexham Park Hospital to meet with our own Freedom to Speak Up Guardian as well as some of our directors.

She also met a number of the programme’s advocates and champions who act as key contacts for staff.

Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) launched at Frimley Health in May 2017, giving staff a channel to highlight concerns within the workplace that they can't, for whatever reason, raise with their manager.

It is led by our own FTSU Guardian Bruce Montgomery, a retired consultant urologist, and ensures staff will be listened to, their concerns will be taken seriously and investigated, and action will be taken where necessary.

Evidence shows that since its launch staff feel more comfortable coming forward if they have a concern.

Speaking after the meeting Dr Hughes said: “I was struck by the enthusiasm of the Board to foster a culture where speaking up becomes business as usual.

“The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, champions and advocates are there for staff who need to speak up about anything that gets in the way of delivering great care to patients but for whatever reason aren’t able to talk to their line manager. 

“They want to hear from staff with their ideas or concerns so that the right improvements can be made.”