We have all experienced concerns about something that has happened at work. Usually, these worries are easily resolved. In the rare instance they can't be, we have a process for dealing with complaints. These can be about suspected complaints which have happened, are happening or might happen in the future. This process ensures we handle your concerns:
- Fairly
- Consistently
- Effectively
- As quickly as possible, and
- Within current legal requirements.
What is Freedom to Speak Up?
Freedom to Speak Up is a process of reporting concerns within the workplace. This is not a complete list, but it can cover worries about:
- Unsafe patient care
- Patient safeguarding
- Poor practice or malpractice which could harm patients
- Illegal activities
- Fraud or corruption
- Negligence
- Discrimination (for example, based on someone's sex, race, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, family leave, religion or belief, age, disability, or marital status)
- Bullying
- A miscarriage of justice (such as punishing someone for something they didn't do)
- Health and safety concerns (for example, unsafe working conditions)
You should only raise a Freedom to Speak Up concern if you believe your concerns are likely true. If you raise a Freedom to Speak Up complaint and we identify it was only raised to harm someone or something else, we may need to take formal action against you. Anonymous concerns are harder to investigate and resolve. Should we need to reveal your identity to resolve your concern, we will talk to you about how to proceed.
If your concern is better resolved by a different process, we will let you know about this.
How do I raise a Freedom to Speak Up concern?
The best way to let us know of your concerns is through our 'Need More Help?' below using the categories 'Complaints/Feedback', 'Freedom to Speak up'.
If you'd like further advice, you can contact the National Whistle Blowing Helpline. They are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. You can call them on 08000 724 725 or contact them using the following link: contact us - Speakup Direct .
You can also contact Public Concern at Work. They are a charity providing free, confidential legal advice to people with concerns about wrongdoing at work. You can call them on 020 7404 6609.
For more details on our Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing policy, please click here .
