Health Education England film encourages nurses to raise concerns

A new film to help nurses and other health professionals improve patient safety has been launched by Health Education England (HEE).

Responding to Concerns warns managers that they must listen carefully to concerns from staff, respond positively, act fairly and maintain communication. 

It also highlights the need to respect confidentiality and the importance of explaining circumstances where confidentiality could be compromised.  For example, if it becomes obvious who has raised the concern or if the complaint is subject to a tribunal or legal proceedings. 

One of the scenarios in the film shows a nursing student who is concerned about an experienced community nurse who has not been washing her hands on visits.

He raises his concerns with his tutor who says he has done the right thing and the tutor then contacts the community nurse's line manager. 

Freedom to speak up guardians who could provide confidential advice and support to staff who have concerns were recommended by Sir Robert Francis after his review into the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The film says that staff at trusts where no guardians are in place can raise concerns with their line manager, lead clinician or their risk management team. 

Nurses may also want to watch the HEE film Raising Concerns, which is aimed at healthcare staff who need to raise a concern about standards of care.

Watch the films here.