Calling it out and raising concerns

If you see or experience something which isn't in line with our Trust values for patients, our colleagues or ourselves, let's not walk past it.  Let's call it out.

If something worries you – whether it’s about patient care, safety, the environment, or how we treat each other (like an incident of racism, discrimination or bullying) – take action.

There are a number of ways to raise concerns in our organisation which are set out below. It’s important to note that there are a number of routes, other than the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. And we need to make sure that people feel able and confident to raise their concerns internally, both informally and formally before using that route.

Out of ours support: If you need to speak up out of hours, and you can't get support from within your team, you can go through ACCC or use our 24/7 Speak Up Guardians.

1. Informal Peer Support and Colleague Conversations : Sometimes the first step in speaking up is an informal conversation with a trusted colleague, mentor, or peer. This can help clarify thoughts, build confidence, and decide whether and how to escalate a concern through formal channels. This could include:

1. Professional Nurse Associates (PNA)  who are trusted compassionate role models, providing health and wellbeing support to nurses and advocates for patient care. PNA can be contacted through: ProfessionalNurseAdvocate@swlstg.nhs.uk.
2. Staff Networks who provide support, advice and guidance as part of the Trust's commitment to inclusion. 
3. Spiritual and Pastoral Support Team  for all staff of any faith or non. You can contact them through chaplain@swlstg.nhs.uk or call 0203 513 6991 between 12-4pm Monday to Friday.
4. Antiracism Hub  for informal conversations about incidents of racial discriminatory behaviour who can be contacted through antiracism@swlstg.nhs.uk.

2. Line Manager, Supervisor or Clinical Lead : An immediate line manager, supervisor or clinical/professional lead is often the first point of contact for raising any concerns. This route allows for prompt discussion, local problem-solving, and follow-up within the team. Where possible, speaking directly to your manager ensures that concerns are addressed quickly and at the most appropriate level.
3. Human Resources (HR) Team: HR teams provide advice and guidance on workplace concerns, including conduct, policy breaches, or issues affecting staff wellbeing. Speaking to HR can be helpful if your concern relates to employment practices, workplace behaviours, or situations where impartial guidance is needed. You can contact our HR team through AskHR@swlstg.nhs.uk
4. Quality Governance Team : The Quality Governance team can offer advice where concerns relate to patient safety or wider quality. They can also offer advice and support after an incident including investigations and inquests. This team can also support if the concern relates to health and safety. You can contact our Quality Governance team through quality-governance@swlstg.nhs.uk. You can contact our H&S team through HealthSafetyAdvisors@swlstg.nhs.uk
5. Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU Guardian) and Freedom to Speak Up non-executive director : The FTSU Guardian is an independent and impartial role within every NHS Trust, providing confidential advice and support to staff who want to raise concerns but feel unable to do so through their usual management line. Guardians can help you decide the best way to raise an issue, guide you through the process, and ensure your concern is listened to and acted upon without fear of detriment. The Guardian Service is available 24 hours a day on 0333 001 5109. We have three Guardians - find their details here. Our Freedom to Speak Up non-executive director champion is Sola Afuape. She can be contacted by email at trustsecretariat@swlstg.nhs.uk.

6. Trade Union / Staff Side Representative / Professional Body:  Trade union representatives offer support, advice, and advocacy to members on workplace issues, including raising concerns. They can help you understand your rights, accompany you to meetings, and ensure your voice is heard, particularly in situations where you might feel vulnerable or unsure about how to proceed. Details of our Trade Union representatives are available here.
7. Chief Executive, FTSU NED, Clinical Director or Executive Member:  Members of staff can escalate serious concerns to the Chief Executive, Clinical Directors or any member of the Executive Team. While members of staff are encouraged to raise their concern and seek resolution locally first, we recognise that some concerns might be so serious that they warrant escalation, or if that concern has not been resolved earlier. You can see our Executive Team and list of Board Members here.
8. External Routes : If you believe your concern cannot be addressed internally, you may contact bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or NHS England. These statutory whistleblowing channels protect staff raising concerns about serious wrongdoing, risks to patient safety, or breaches of law. These organisations are deemed ‘prescribed persons’ (bodies) where NHS staff (under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) are able raise concerns externally while still being legally protected as a ‘whistleblower’. Details for the CQC and NHS England and the HSE are available on inSite.
9. Incident Reporting Systems : We have electronic system (Ulysees) for reporting safety incidents, near misses, or risks. This systems ensures that clinical and non-clinical safety concerns are formally recorded, investigated, and acted upon. It is an important route for raising issues that directly impact patient safety or staff wellbeing.