Empowering staff through speaking up

At LUHFT our number one priority is always the wellbeing and safety of our patients and staff. Our Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) champions are here to help you to feel your voice counts when you raise any concerns or ideas you may have about workplace safety. Our champions can meet you for a confidential chat and suggest options to resolve issues and direct you to appropriate people, policies, pathways, procedures or interventions.

The FTSU team are always recruiting champions, who carry out the role in addition to their day job on a voluntary basis. There are currently 18 champions based across all sites. Below are four recent recruits.

Rachel Lavelle, Junior OD Business Partner –Culture Change, Rachel.Lavelle@ liverpoolft.nhs.uk)

"We all have a voice and should never be afraid to use it. My role in the Organisational Development team means I am hugely passionate about making sure that the people of LUHFT have a great place to learn and work, and speaking up is an integral part of that.”

Noon Altijani, FY2 Junior Doctor, (Noon.altijani@ liverpoolft.nhs.uk)

"I am junior doctor, so I rotate across the Trust for my placements. I see this role as an opportunity to contribute to improving our workplace and supporting colleagues if needed. Please feel free to contact me if you want to speak."

Isabelle Kimpton, Charge Nurse, A&E, (Isabella.Kimpton@liverpoolft.nhs.uk)

"As health professionals we are very used to putting our patients and their needs first. In the Emergency Department we can deal with some very difficult and sometimes stressful situations. As a sister in A&E I want people to have a friendly, recognisable face they can easily approach with problems or if they are struggling with anything. Happy staff make for happier patients."

James White, Medical Laboratory Assistant, (James.White@liverpoolft.nhs.uk)

"Every member of staff, whatever their band, has an equal role to play regarding patient and staff safety. Empowering people to speak up when they see the potential for harm is vital. As a former staffside representative I understand how important it is to listen without prejudice and maintain the strictest confidence regarding what may be sensitive issues."

All of our champions support the Trust Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Lorraine Heaton. If you are interested in becoming a FTSU champion and would like to find out more information, please email Lorraine on lorraine.heaton@liverpoolft.nhs.uk or visit the FTSU page on the COVID Hub at https://bit.ly/3HTzoNz