Speak Up Month got off to a flying start last week, with our workplace ambassadors supporting Freedom to Speak Up guardians, Carol Gregson and Caroline Lane, to spread the word on the importance of listening.

ED Consultant, Amjid Mohammed, said: “I have been a consultant in emergency medicine for more than 20 years. In that time I have appreciated what good culture can do for staff morale, recruitment, retention and importantly, patient safety. Staff being able to raise concerns is an important tool in detecting where things can go wrong before they do go wrong. It is hugely important that we at CHFT do our utmost to encourage this and listen to colleagues when they sense something isn’t right. The Freedom to Speak Up initiative facilitates this for everyone from Porter to Professor.”

Thanks also to fellow Amjid’s fellow ambassadors for supporting the first week’s events, including Consultant Andy Hardy, THIS Senior Administrator Debi Johnson and Matron Rachel Roberts (CHFT). They gave out posters and leaflets to so many colleagues (thank you Daisy Unsworth for taking some to A&E) and colleagues provided pledges as to how they can Listen Up in their places of work.

Andy told Carol: “I’ve been a Clinical Director in the Medicine Division for six years and have seen first-hand the valuable support that the Freedom to Speak Up service provides to colleagues. I understand that doctors sometimes find it difficult to ask for help but would encourage colleagues to come forward and talk to us about any concerns they may have.”

Be Seen in Green Wednesdays continue this week outside the dining rooms of both hospitals between 11:30 and 13:30.