Kent LMC offers the role of Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU) to all GP practices in Kent & Medway
Overview
Speaking up is about anything that gets in the way of providing good care. When things go wrong, we need to make sure that lessons are learnt, and things are improved.
If we think something might go wrong, it’s important that we all feel able to speak up so that potential harm is prevented. Even when things are good, but 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.
Workers can speak up about anything that gets in the way of high-quality effective care, or that affects their working life. Speaking up may take many forms, including a quick discussion with a line manager, a suggestion for improvement submitted as part of a staff suggestion scheme, raising an issue with a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, or bringing a matter to the attention of a regulator.
Speaking up in your organisation
Speaking Up policies and processes are there to support all workers, and all NHS organisations in England must adopt a Freedom to Speak Up Policy as a minimum standard.
How to speak up
Your line manager will be your first point of call. If you don’t feel you can speak up to them, or use other formal routes within your workplace, you can contact Kent LMC Freedom to Speak Up Guardian Service who will support you to speak up.
Kent LMC are committed to promoting an open, transparent, and supportive culture to ensure that everyone feels safe and confident to speak up about issues that concern them. We know that effective speaking up arrangements help to protect patients and improve the experience of our workers.
Attached is a copy of the Kent LMC policy along with a poster to display in staff areas.
Kent LMC Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
The LMC has three trained Guardians who have completed the necessary training and are recognised by the National Guardians Office (NGO)
- Michelle Baker, Practice Management Executive
- Kay Acott, Practice Management Executive
- Liz Mears, Director of Operations
Confidential email address: ftsug@kentlmc.org
Confidential Telephone: 01622 933945
Free, independent and confidential helpline for people working in NHS and Social Care organisations in England, operated by Social Enterprise Direct Limited on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. You can contact them on 08000 724 725 or by completing their contact form.
A national charity which aims to protect society by encouraging speaking up in the workplace. It provides legally privileged advice to individuals, supports organisations with their speaking up arrangements and monitors legislative impact and campaigns for change. You can contact them by calling 020 3117 2520 or by emailing whistle@protect-advice.org.uk.
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