Following a recent internal audit, our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians Carol Gregson and Caroline Lane, were bursting with pride when the Trust received a High Assurance rating, with no recommendations to follow up.
Carol, pictured middle, said: “Over the past year our Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Network has gone from strength to strength, and that’s down to the fact that #TeamCHFT colleagues have embraced FTSU within the organisation.
“The last year has seen our workplace ambassador network almost double in size from 23 to 39 from across all staff groups and ethnic backgrounds. Our ambassadors support and signpost colleagues in all areas with concerns being raised, and they’ve really stepped up and delivered. Ultimately when people speak up it means we can both help improve services for all patients and the working environment for our colleagues."
The role of our guardians and ambassadors is to give advice and guidance on how colleagues can raise and escalate concerns outside of usual line management or reporting structures. Each division takes ownership of the concerns alongside other reporting systems such as InPhase and through our Patient Experience Team. This gives them a better understanding of where the wider concerns are, and allows them to resolve concerns in a timely way.
Carol added: “Attendance at our bi-monthly network meetings is growing, showing the commitment of our ambassadors. At the meetings we cover themes and trends. This month for example we covered sexual safety, as colleagues can raise anonymous concerns through FTSU as part of our commitment to the Sexual Safety Charter. We also review anonymous case studies for learning and offer support for each other, and how FTSU can be promoted within areas.
“In our first ever internal audit, CHFT received a High Assurance, as the review confirmed that we were able to evidence we had fully met all eight National Guardian Office principles where people feel safe to speak up with confidence.
“Caroline and I feel privileged to work alongside a fabulous group of people and this High Assurance rating really is a true demonstration of Working Together to Get Results.”
Director of Corporate Affairs, Vicky Pickles, pictured right, said: “This is an excellent report. It is an absolute credit to Carol and Caroline, who not only deliver great work, but also were extremely organised with their evidence in presentation to the auditor.”
