For more information, read the full Freedom to speak up policy by downloading the accessible Word document at the end of this page.
Who the policy applies to
- all NHS Essex staff, including volunteers, students and trainees, and contractors (not self-employed contractors)
Why this policy is important
The Freedom to Speak Up Policy helps make sure concerns are listened to and acted on.
It encourages people to speak up when something does not seem right. This may help improve patient safety, staff wellbeing and the quality of services.
The policy also supports a fair and respectful working environment where people feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously.
What people can raise concerns about
People can speak up about issues that may affect:
- patient safety
- patient quality of care
- health and safety
- discrimination or unfair treatment
- bullying or inappropriate behaviour
- fraud or misuse of resources
- conflict of interest
- poor working practices
- when people are not following rules, standards or legal requirements
- risks to services or the organisation
People should raise concerns when they genuinely believe something is not right or fair.
What NHS Essex will do
NHS Essex wants people to feel safe when they raise concerns. The organisation will:
- listen carefully to concerns
- treat people with respect
- investigate issues when needed
- keep people informed where possible
- use learning from concerns to improve services
Nobody should be treated unfairly because they have raised a genuine concern.
Different ways to speak up
Concerns can often be raised with a supervisor or line manager in the first instance.
If someone does not feel comfortable doing this, they can contact trained Freedom to Speak Up Champions or the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for confidential support and guidance.
People can choose to:
- raise concerns openly
- raise concerns confidentially
- raise concerns anonymously
Anonymous concerns can still be considered, although it may be harder to investigate them fully.
If someone does not want to speak to someone within the organisation, they can speak up to:
Learning and improvement
NHS Essex uses information from concerns to help improve services and working practices.
Where issues are identified, action will be taken to reduce the risk of similar problems happening again.
Learning may be shared across teams to support continuous improvement.
Roles and responsibilities
Everyone who works for NHS Essex has a responsibility to raise concerns when they believe something may put patients, colleagues or services at risk. Managers should:
- listen to concerns
- respond appropriately
- support staff who speak up
Freedom to Speak Up Champions and the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian provide independent advice, support and guidance to help people raise concerns safely.
Policy review
This policy was approved on 1 April 2026 and is due for review in April 2027.
For full details, download the accessible Word version of the policy below.