Whistleblowing: Why it's important for healthcare professionals to 'Speak Up'.

It only takes one person to make a difference. If you see something that isn't quite right, speak up.

Whistleblowing and speaking up is a way of shining a light on concerns. It helps a workplace to be open, transparent and accountable, to be able to learn from events, prevent future concerns and therefore protect patients. It is the most effective way to bring issues to light, and put steps in place to resolve problems.

Freedom to Speak Up is for anyone working in healthcare, including healthcare professionals, non-clinical workers, senior managers, bank workers, and everyone in between. Speak Up Guardians encourage colleagues to speak up when they feel that they are unable to do so via another route. The Speak Up Guardian will ensure that people who speak up are thanked, that the issues they raise are responded to, and make sure that the person speaking up receives feedback on the actions taken.

There are over 800 guardians in the NHS and other independent healthcare organisations that ensure healthcare professionals can speak up about any issues impacting their ability to do their job. The National Guardian's Office was created in 2015 in response to Sir Robert Francis' CQ's report 'Freedom to Speak Up'. In the report, Sir Robert found that healthcare culture did not always encourage or support workers to speak up, and patients and employees suffered as a result.

Speaking up enhances all our working lives and improves the quality and safety of care. Listening and acting upon matters raised means that Freedom to Speak Up will help us be the best place to work. PHL Group promotes an open and supportive culture that encourages staff to raise any issues of patient care quality or safety they may have.

PHL’s Speak Up Guardian is? Ian Dixon . Working in healthcare, as rewarding as it can be, can also be very tough, and it’s important for people to have someone to talk to. That is why?Ian?is proud to be one of over 800 Speak Up Guardians across the UK.

“It’s important to me that?PHL?employees feel they can raise their concerns openly. When people speak out, we can improve the service we deliver to our patients, and foster a better environment to work in. Honesty is a strong belief of mine, and with honesty and transparency comes integrity.” - Ian Dixon