Public BoD papers 28.04.22

1. Introduction The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting an open and transparent culture across the organisation to ensure that all members of staff feel safe and confident to speak out. This plan describes our aims and action to promote, develop and support this culture. 2. The benefits of supporting staff to speak up safely in the workplace When staff feel confident and safe to speak up the following benefits are achieved: • The Trust is made aware of situations that could potentially impact on patient care • The Trust has the opportunity to take action so that any detrimental consequence is avoided • The Trust has the opportunity to learn • Staff are able to share their anxiety about a situation and therefore reduce their stress • Staff feel a greater sense of engagement, inclusion and support for Trust values Delivering the Freedom to Speak Up plan The Freedom to Speak Up plan has four themes: a. Raising Awareness Raising awareness helps ensure that the message of speaking up safely is shared with all staff. We want our staff:- • To know how to raise concerns, • To feel confident in doing so • To feel that they are listened to • To know that something will be done in response to issues that are raised Raising awareness is everyone’s business. The FTSUG will work with managers, staff and the HR department so that everyone understands their role in raising awareness. b. Ensuring a positive raising concerns culture Having a positive reporting culture, where open dialogue is part of normal every day practice, is important to the delivery of safe and compassionate care. A positive raising concerns culture: • has strong leadership and commitment from the board/senior management team • is underpinned by a clear freedom to speak up - raising concerns policy and arrangements • offers a range of different channels to enable staff to raise issues easily and confidently • is an integral part of values based recruitment, induction, appraisal and training 3.

• requires effective communication and engagement with staff • provides ongoing opportunity for reflective practice and learning • needs robust and consistent response systems • celebrates success, as well as focusing on things where we need to improve.

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