NHS HIGHLAND: Speaking up about concerns is only useful if someone is prepared to listen

As whistleblowing champion for NHS Highland, speaking up is something I am passionate about. My role is independent and impartial, nationally appointed, and as a non-executive director demonstrates the board’s leadership of, and commitment to, the national whistleblowing standards.

We continue to use Speak Up Week (October 2-6) to promote these standards: a national system for raising concerns about the NHS in the public interest, where there is a risk of harm or wrongdoing, such as patient safety issues, fraud, unsafe working conditions or poor practice. Anyone who is delivering an NHS service – including volunteers, contractors and students, as well as employees – can raise a whistleblowing concern. Raising these concerns is an important first step to prevent wrongdoings and harm, and ultimately leads to the improvement of our organisation.

Over the past few years we have introduced a range of ways in NHS Highland for colleagues to share their views, be heard, and be responded to, whether that’s on a personal level, or because they have concerns about work.

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This year, throughout Speak Up week, we’re planning a series of drop-in events around NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute in order to raise awareness of the whistleblowing standards and the importance of speaking up. Julie and Derek, our guardians, will be available at various locations to reach as many colleagues as possible. We also know that hearing directly from line managers is many people’s preferred method of communication, therefore we have made sure representation is there from our executive director groups so that the message of speaking up can be circulated as widely as possible.

We’ve been promoting whistleblowing standards training and learning for managers in particular, so that they know how to listen to and act on concerns raised. After all, speaking up is only useful if someone is prepared to listen. Often things can be resolved at an early stage and, where we may not be able do as someone has suggested, it’s important that we can explain why and show appreciation towards people for their input.

The guardian service provides an independent, confidential service which supports colleagues who may wish to discuss an issue, raise a complaint, or explore other ways of making their voices heard. If they have a personal concern, including issues such as bullying, grievances or other problems at work, the guardian service can also offer impartial support and advice and ensure colleagues are supported through the whistleblowing process, and that decisions are made and recorded appropriately. Anyone who has an issue at work and wants to find out what the options are to tackle it can email contact@theguardianservice.co.uk or call 0333 577 5955.

We want colleagues to feel able to speak up about, and get support with, personal issues too. The NHS Highland employee assistance programme (EAP) is a confidential service delivered by a professional and independent provider. It provides access to face-to-face and telephone counselling and specialist information services, including money and debt information, legal information, health and wellbeing and family care information. Any colleague who is facing personal or work-related problems that may be affecting their health, wellbeing or performance can call 0800 358 48 58 or go online to access the EAP.

And finally, we’ve been sharing ways that colleagues can speak out about the great work they are doing too. Whether it’s sharing praise for a colleague who has gone above and beyond, nominating a team for an award, or simply taking the time to say ‘thank you’, we need to recognise and learn from the amazing work our teams do, day in, day out.

Patients, carers, families and service users are all welcome to speak up and give us feedback. You can email NHSHighland.feedback@nhs.scot or go to CareOpinion.org.uk to let us know what went well with your care and what we can improve. I promise we’ll be listening.

Albert Donald, non-executive whistleblowing champion of NHS Highland

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