Having the Freedom to Speak Up

Ambulance side shot

As an NHS organisation, we have a responsibility to be safe in every aspect of what we do.

But what do you do if you see or hear something that you don’t think is safe for patients, for colleagues, or the Trust, and is causing you concern?

The Trust is currently developing a comprehensive process for you to access in order to be able to raise concerns at work, which will cover how to informally and formally raise an issue, and how to escalate it if you feel it hasn’t been appropriately dealt with. As part of that, we’re proud to be launching ‘Freedom to Speak Up’– a national initiative that helps you to raise concerns in confidence.

Raise your concern at: Eoeasnt.f2su@nhs.net

Officially launched at the Board meeting in Melbourn (29th March), Freedom to Speak Up will provide a platform to raise freely and safely, either by name or through an anonymous email address, any concerns you may have about EEAST if the existing options are not open to you for whatever your reason.

Your Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is Janice Scott. Her role is to act in a genuinely independent capacity to help deal with concerns or issues that you feel unable to raise with your line manager. Janice will provide confidential advice, support and signposting to other areas of the Trust to ensure your concern is heard.

Non-executive Director Valerie Morton said: “I’m proud to be the whistleblowing lead. This will help us build on a culture that is open and honest, and is a fantastic piece of work.”

Concerns you might raise under Freedom to Speak Up include:

  • someone’s health and/or safety has been put in danger due to an action or inaction
  • a criminal offence has been committed
  • the Trust is failing to obey the law (like not having appropriate insurance for example)
  • a malpractice or wrongdoing has been covered up.

If you’d like to know more, including information about Janice's role and the process they’ll follow if you contact them with a concern, please visit our dedicated Freedom to Speak Up pages on East24.

Published 30th March, 2017

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