The national Freedom to speak up initiative has been embedded across general practices in North Cumbria - but what is it? And what does it mean for staff?
It's about encouraging a positive culture where people feel they can speak up and their voices will be heard, and their suggestions acted upon.
This can be when things go wrong, could go wrong, or just doesn't feel right and allows for important lessons being highlighted and learned. Even when things are good but could be better, people should feel able to say something.
Freedom To Speak Up Guardians are in place across practices who can be contacted by staff if issues cannot be resolved, or are not appropriate, to raise through line managers. This important confidential process can help support improvements and protect patient safety.
People Promise Manager for Primary Care Services North Cumbria Kirsty Jay said:
"As part of the People Promise programme, I was keen for Freedom to Speak Up to be adopted by the GP Practices in North Cumbria. Many of the practices are supporting with a North Cumbria wide approach which has been formalised, with some practices having their own policies and processes in place. It's so important to give this extra channel to staff so that it can be ensured that everyone has a voice that counts. As part of the People Promise work, we are committed to this and to ensuring that staff feel safe and confident to speak up and so that concerns can be raised whichever part of an organisation people work in.
"It's another really positive step forward which will ultimately help support both staff retention and improve services for patients where required."
Staff are encouraged to speak up about anything that gets in the way of patient care or impacts their work life. This includes issues such as unsafe patient care, poor working conditions, inadequate training, unaddressed safety concerns, suspicions of fraud, and a bullying culture. Speaking up can address concerns like unfair treatment, non-compliance with procedures, and behaviours affecting well-being. Employees are specifically urged to report unsafe practices, poor responses to incidents, and organisational issues that affect the team or patients
Speaking up, therefore, captures a range of issues, some of which may be appropriate for other existing processes
(for example, HR or patient safety/quality).
Organisations will listen and work with staff to identify the most appropriate way of responding to the issues raised.
General Practice Staff with organisations linked to the People Promise's Freedom to Speak Up offer can learn more on the People Promise 'teamnet' page here and by referring to the FTSU policies and guidance available in your practices. They are located to download in the 'we each have a voice that counts' section.
Or alternatively you should refer to your own policies within your organisation, if you are on a different scheme.
