What does the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian do?
Every NHS organisation has a FTSU Guardian, they are an appointed individual who works independently and has a key role in helping to enable a positive speaking up culture in their organisation. They can provide confidential advice and support to staff in relation to concerns they have about patient safety and/or the way their concern has been handled.
What can you speak up about?
You can speak up about anything that gets in the way of you delivering great, safe care or services. Speaking up includes raising concerns, asking questions, making suggestions, reporting incidents and asking for help. You might be experiencing something that is affecting staff safety or wellbeing, patient safety or quality, or attitudes and behaviour unbefitting Trust values. We want you to be able to speak up within your team, to the appropriate manager, or using the service or porcess appropriate to the situation. But if you are facing barriers with that, the Guardian may be able to help.
What does their role of the FTSU Guardian involve?
They:
- Protect patient safety and the quality of care & services
- Improve the raising concerns experience of staff
- Promote learning and improvement
By ensuring that:
- Workers are supported in speaking up
- Barriers to speaking up and resolving concerns are addressed
- A positive culture of speaking up is fostered
- Issues are raised as opportunities for learning and improvement
Guardians don't get involved in investigations or complaints, nor do they act on behalf of staff (or the organisation), but they do help to facilitate the ‘speaking up’ process where needed, ensuring organisational policies are followed correctly.
As well as your Guardian/s, the FTSU service also has a number of champions available who are colleagues that are trained to listen and follow up on any concerns you may have. You can find a list of champions at each site and their contact details here.
The FTSU Guardian across LUHFT sites is Lorraine Heaton.
- Email: lorraine.
heaton @liverpoolft.nhs.uk - Phone: 07794 071021
Lorraine is routinely available between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. Outside of these hours please leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as possible. Lorraine can make arrangements to meet outside of these hours as needed. She also has a group of FTSU Champions supporting her in her role who work across all sites and who are available to listen to staff and help them to resolve issues.
Sarah Kirkbride, Patient EDI Lead
“As an inclusion specialist, advocating for an open and supportive culture is important to me and taking on the Guardian role has allowed me to bring my relevant skills and experience to keep our patients free from harm whilst improving workplace wellbeing and delivering the best possible care to our community.”
Srinivasarao Babarao, Consultant Neonatologist
Srinivasarao.
Sarah and Shri can also be contacted at F2SUG
Alternatively visit the Freedom to speak up office at Liverpool Women's Hospital (located on the ground floor, next to the staff training room). Paper forms are kept outside the Freedom To Speak Up office, once completed please post your form under the door for one of the guardians to pick up and respond.
You can find out more about Freedom to Speak Up on the National Guardians Office website.