At Newcastle Hospitals, we want our staff to feel confident and supported to speak up when something isn’t right, or when they have ideas about how services could be improved.
Speaking up is about raising concerns or sharing suggestions that could help improve patient care, patient safety, staff wellbeing, or the way we work.
By speaking up early, we can address issues before they become bigger problems and continue to improve the care and services we provide.
Who can speak up?
Freedom to Speak Up is available to all staff at the trust, including:
- Clinical staff
- Administrative and clerical staff
- Estates and facilities teams
- Managers and leaders
- Volunteers
- Students and trainees
- Locum and bank staff
- Contractors
- Former employees
Our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
Paula Dimarco and Kathryn Smart are our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians. They provide a confidential and impartial service, offering a safe space for colleagues to discuss concerns and seek advice on how to raise them.
They work as job-share Guardians, available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Flexible arrangements can be made to meet with staff outside these hours where needed.
The role of the Guardians is to support staff to speak up and ensure concerns are heard. They do not carry out or participate in investigations.
What is speaking up?
Speaking up means raising concerns when something may be getting in the way of providing safe, high-quality care or a positive working environment. It can also mean sharing ideas about how we can improve what we do.
When concerns are raised, they can be reviewed and addressed appropriately, helping us learn, make improvements and create a safer, more supportive organisation for both patients and staff.
How do I speak up?
In the first instance, we encourage colleagues to raise concerns with their line manager, team leader, or the nurse or doctor in charge.
If you are unsure who to approach, do not feel comfortable raising the issue locally, or have already done so and feel your concerns have not been addressed, you can contact one of our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians. They will listen, provide support and guidance, and help ensure your concerns are raised through the most appropriate channels.
Speaking up helps us learn, improve and provide the best possible care for our patients and support for our staff.
Contact
You can contact Paula and Kathryn on the details below.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
