Speak Up Month 2022

Speaking up enhances all our working lives and improves the quality and safety of care. Listening and acting upon matters raised means that Freedom to Speak Up will help us be the best place to work.

Speak Up Month in October is an opportunity to raise awareness of how much we value speaking up in our organisation.

The theme for Speak Up Month 2022 is “Freedom to Speak Up for Everyone” with each week having a specific focus:

#SpeakUpforSafety

The safety of people who use and work in our services is core to how we work. Week 1 highlights the importance of speaking up about anything that gets in the way of you doing a good job, particularly relating to patient care and worker safety. Use this week to speak up for something you think can help us learn and improve for the benefit of patients and colleagues

#SpeakUpforCivility

Week 2 focuses on being kind to colleagues and not forgetting to be kind to yourself. Civility Saves Lives say that “Almost all excellence in healthcare is dependent on teams, and teams work best when all members feel safe and have a voice.” Use this week to connect with colleagues.

#SpeakUpforInclusion

Week 3 is all about promoting inclusion and breaking down the barriers we know exist to enable all workers to feel safe to speak up and be heard. This week we are also celebrating Black History Month alongside Speak up Month. Use this week to  promote equality, diversity and inclusion and engage with staff networks.

#FTSUforEveryone

Week 4 brings together all professions, worker groups and sectors, both within health and social care and beyond. We want to make speaking up business as usual for everyone; regardless of job role, background or circumstance.

The National Guardians Office are also encouraging everyone to take part in “Wear Green Wednesdays” throughout October to show their visible support for Freedom to Speak Up.

Here at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, we will be hosting webinars in line with these themes and we will also be encouraging our workforce to get involved in Wear Green Wednesdays to show their support.

Alison Flack, Speak Up Guardian, said:

“We take speaking up extremely seriously at our Trust. It is of the highest importance to us that our staff feel comfortable and safe to let our Speak Up Guardians know when something isn’t going quite right. We also operate a Zero Tolerance Policy with regards to bullying or discrimination of any kind, so we are very proud to support this policy with our ongoing efforts around Speak Up.”

Follow our Speak Up content on social media throughout the month by using the hashtag #FTSUforEveryone and following us @HumberNHSFT

Find out more about the Speak Up campaign by visiting the National Guardian’s website: www.nationalguardian.org.uk