We want all our staff to feel valued and respected at work
There are more than 800 Freedom to Speak Up Guardians across the NHS and their role is to support workers to speak up about something that is concerning them in their job, when they feel that they are unable to do so by other routes.
When things go wrong, we need to make sure lessons are learnt and things improve. It’s important that we all feel able to speak up so potential harm is prevented.
Even when things are good, if they could be even better we should feel able to say something and should expect that our suggestion is listened to and used as an opportunity for improvement.
What can I speak up about?
You can speak up about anything that gets in the way of patient care, or that affects your working life.
That could be something which doesn’t feel right, for example a way of working or a process which isn’t being followed, or behaviours of others which you feel is having an impact your wellbeing, the people you work with, or patients.
Speaking up is about all of these things.
How can I speak up?
There may be many ways to speak up within your organisation.
Speaking up may take many forms. It could be a quick discussion with a line manager, a suggestion for improvement submitted as part of our staff survey or raising a matter with our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
You can raise issues with us in confidence or anonymously, although this can make it more difficult if we need more information from you.
Who can contact our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian?
Our Guardian can be contacted by all Alliance for Better Care staff including colleagues who are with us in a temporary capacity. For non-ABC staff, we recommend approaching the Surrey and Sussex ICB.
Patients and their families who have concerns or suggestions for improvement should contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).
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Adnan Abbas
Role: Office Operational Lead/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Days of work: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm at the Horley Health Hub -
Debbie Brownings
Role: Clinical Services Manager/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Days of work: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and alternate weekends -
Lauren Howes
Role: Programme Manager (Transformation)/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Days of work: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Our FTSU Champions
Freedom to Speak Up Champions are staff who listen confidentially to colleagues’ concerns and, when needed, signpost them to the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for further support or action.
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Emily Dennett
People Services Coordinator/Freedom to Speak Up Champion
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Kellie Tamkin
Head of Practice Support – Coastal West Sussex/Freedom to Speak Up Champion
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Michelle Gibbens
Finance and Payroll Administrator/Freedom to Speak Up Champion
