Freedom to Speak Up Guardians need more support, study finds

TRFT Library & Knowledge Service

Sep 4

NIHR - 31.08.23

Freedom to Speak Up Guardians (Guardians for short) help healthcare workers to raise concerns about patient safety and other work-related issues. But research found that many lack adequate resources. The study called for trusts to ensure that Guardians have the time, budget and psychological support they need to work effectively.

Researchers investigated the role of Guardians at acute and mental health trusts in England. They asked 87 Guardians about their experiences, and observed and interviewed a further 106 people (Guardians and their colleagues), for 3 months in 6 case sites.

They found variation in how Guardians worked (full-time versus part-time) and the resources they received (the time, budget and workspace allocated, for example). The role was often emotionally draining, but Guardians received little support.

The findings fed into the National Guardian's Office guidelines; they also informed related guidance in Wales. A recent report from the Department of Health and Social Care stresses the importance of Guardians, and provides details about the support available for staff who raise concerns.

For more information about Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, visit the NHS website

Further information - Freedom to Speak Up Guardians need more support, study finds

This Alert is based on: Jones, A and others. Implementation of 'Freedom to Speak Up Guardians' in NHS acute and mental health trusts in England: the FTSUG mixed-methods study. Health and Social Care Delivery Research 2022;10.