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Healthcare whistleblowing: the e-learning modules that will help nurses speak up

Online training aims to give staff at all levels confidence to speak up about poor care

National guardian urges nurses' managers and leaders to listen to staff’s concerns – and act on them

Two nurses in serious conversation. Picture: iStock
Picture: iStock

A new training module helping health and care staff, bank staff, and students speak up about poor practice is now available.

The e-learning package Freedom to Speak Up in Healthcare in England is from the National Guardian’s Office, the whistleblowing agency for England’s health and care services.

Managers must support workers to speak up, says national guardian

National guardian Henrietta Hughes
Henrietta Hughes

The first module, which is now available, will aim to help those involved in health and care at all levels to know what speaking up entails and what they should expect when they do.

National guardian Henrietta Hughes said that while training was important, staff also need the support of management to address concerns in their workplace.

‘This e-learning will give all workers the tools to speak up, particularly those who may feel they are unable to, like trainees, bank staff, or volunteers,’ Dr Hughes said.

‘But it is beholden on all leaders and managers in health to support this work, by listening to what workers are saying and acting on what they hear.’

A further two modules will be for line managers and senior leaders. They will focus on how to support staff speaking up and will be released before the end of the year.

Modules delivered by e-learning resource

HEE chief executive Navina Evans
Navina Evans

The training will be delivered via Health Education England’s (HEE) e-Learning for Healthcare system.

HEE chief executive Navina Evans said the organisation was proud to support whistleblowing in healthcare.

‘The culture and processes that make speaking up possible must be underpinned by the knowledge of how to speak up and how to respond when somebody does,’ she said.

‘This new e-learning package makes sure that knowledge is in place so that the NHS can ensure freedom to speak up is embedded in every service, every team and every organisation.’

More than 35,000 whistleblowing cases have been raised to Freedom to Speak Up guardians since 2017.


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