National Guardian’s Office Releases Annual Speaking Up Data Report, 30,000 Cases Brought to Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in 2023/24
In a statement released today (18th July 2024), the National Guardian’s Office has published its latest annual speaking up data report, which highlights the themes and learning from the speaking up data shared by Freedom to Speak Up guardians.
According to the report, over 30,000 cases were brought to Freedom to Speak Up guardians last year, marking a significant increase of 27.6% from the previous year. This is the highest number of cases recorded since the National Guardian’s Office began collecting data in 2017.
The report comes alongside the National Guardian’s announcement of an updated strategy aimed at promoting cultural change in healthcare, with the goal of improving worker experience and patient safety. Currently, there are over 1,200 Freedom to Speak Up guardians supporting healthcare workers to speak up about any issues that may affect their ability to perform their job, if they do not feel comfortable doing so through other means. Since 2017, these guardians have handled over 130,000 cases.
The report also reveals that nearly two out of every five cases (38.5%) involved concerns regarding inappropriate behaviors and attitudes. This is a significant issue as it can impact the quality and safety of the healthcare environment, leading to staffing issues, retention problems, and overall negative work culture.
Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, National Guardian for the NHS, stated, “The increasing number of cases brought to our Freedom to Speak Up guardians is a testament to their efforts in fostering trust and breaking down barriers to speaking up within their organizations. We must recognize that culture is a patient safety issue, and every interaction within the healthcare environment can have a significant impact on the lives and outcomes of patients, colleagues, and consultants.”
The National Guardian’s refreshed vision for the work of the National Guardian’s Office is to improve workplace cultures by ensuring that workers feel confident and supported to speak up through expert guidance and challenge. While significant progress has been made since the establishment of the role of Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in 2016, there is still a lack of consistency in supporting workers’ voices, hindering further progress.
Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark added, “We understand that it takes courage to speak up, and these numbers represent 30,000 opportunities for learning and improvement for the benefit of patients and colleagues. However, we must acknowledge that there are still many voices that go unheard. Our strategic vision is to move the dial on Freedom to Speak Up, with the ultimate goal of not just safety, but confidence for workers to raise concerns and see actions taken as a result.”
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact comms@nationalguardianoffice.org.uk.
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