EXPLAINER: FREEDOM TO SPEAK UP GUARDIANS
FREEDOM TO SPEAK UP GUARDIANS
EXPLAINER:
Mitra Bakhtiari, lead midwife and freedom to speak up guardian for Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, explains how she and the Trust’s other freedom to speak up guardians can support staff to raise concerns.
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n October 2016 the Trust introduced its first freedom to speak up guardians following recommendations from Sir Robert Francis in a national review. The review found that staff in some NHS organisations were either afraid to speak up about problems affecting patient safety, or were punished for doing so. The NHS-wide role was created in a bid to give staff a safe place to raise concerns about unsafe care or working conditions, suspicions of fraud, a bullying culture and other issues. Almost two years on, the Trust has five employees who take on this role.
“At my previous trust I was a freedom to speak up guardian,” says lead midwife Mitra Bakhtiari, freedom to speak up guardian for Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital. “Shortly after I joined the Trust I applied and became a guardian here in July 2017.”
All guardians undertake Trust-based training that centres on creating and sustaining psychological safety and ensuring guidance given is unbiased and professional. The guardians also get together regularly to share their experiences and give each other advice. “In my role as a guardian I support staff with confidential and impartial advice. Staff are always encouraged to approach their line managers in the first instance, but this is not always an option so that is where I step in.
“Staff are encouraged to raise concerns without anonymity, in order to facilitate a culture of openness and transparency. This also means that we can investigate issues to their full extent and rectify any wrongdoing that is taking place. If staff wish to remain
Autumn 2018
anonymous then this will of course be respected but, as a guardian, it is my job to empower and give staff a voice, and together we work as a team to take the concern where it needs to go. The Trust leadership are really supportive which is very important, and it means no issue is unsolvable.”
The Trust’s freedom to speak up guardians all take on the role voluntarily, alongside their day-to-day jobs; something that Mitra admits can be challenging.
“When someone feels they are ready to raise a concern it is important to run with the momentum, no matter how busy we are. I am always in touch with the other guardians so they can step in to support if I am not available.”
Despite lots of publicity many staff still do not know what a freedom to speak up guardian does. The guardians are
Our freedom to speak up guardians: • Charing Cross: Claudia Primus, radiotherapy review radiographer
• Hammersmith: Richard Allen, assistant practitioner
• Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea: Mitra Bakhtiari, lead midwife
• St Mary’s: Dr Andrew Hartle, consultant anaesthetist
• Western Eye: Adam Heritage, senior ophthalmic photographer
recruiting ‘champions’ to help spread the word about what they can offer. “I am hoping we can build a group of champions that represent all grades of staff. They will be integral to helping us spread the message.”
Despite the challenges the role brings in addition to her primary job, Mitra is passionate about supporting staff through the freedom to speak up guardians programme.
“This role can be highly emotional and sensitive, but I love being able to support staff as this in turn has a direct impact on patient care and the environment of the organisation as a whole.”
“I am confident that supporting staff in this way will help to provide more trust and openness within teams, and through this we can continue to improve as an organisation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff can get in touch with any of the guardians by calling 07500 225 733 or emailing
imperial.FTSU@nhs.net.
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