Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust: A case review of speaking up processes, policies and culture

Within 3 months the National Guardian’s Office will take steps to ensure that the speaking up training it delivers and planned national guidance, specifically references the needs of BME workers as a ‘vulnerable group’ alongside wider considerations of other groups of workers who may encounter particular barriers to speaking up.

As soon as is practicable, following the decision regarding the future leadership of the organisation, the trust should inform its workforce of that decision.

Within 12 months the trust should revise its speaking up policy, to ensure it is in line with the amendments required by NHS Improvement quoted in this report.

Within 6 months the trust should take all appropriate steps to implement the actions identified in its gap analysis of National Guardian Office case review recommendations.

Within 6 months of the completion of its roadshow to promote the existence and purpose of its Freedom to Speak Up Guardian across its workforce, the trust takes appropriate steps to measure the effectiveness of its communications strategy relating to the role.

Within 12 months the trust completes the work it identifies as necessary to help ensure that workers, in particular those responsible for responding to speaking up matters, have the appropriate skills to handle difficult conversations.

Within 6 months the trust should take reasonable steps to ensure that its network of cultural ambassadors reflects the diversity of the workforce that it supports.