“Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care”, is a policy paper which sets out how the government are taking forward adult social care reforms to support workforce development. The Department of Health and Social Care have reviewed certain policy areas following on from the commitments made in the white paper published in December 2021.
This has meant the previous commitment on Freedom to Speak Up in Adult Social Care is not being taken forward at this stage.
In response to the policy paper, Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, National Guardian, said:
“Everyone, wherever they work in health and care, should have safe and effective routes to speaking up, including access to a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. I am disappointed with the announcement that the white paper commitment on Adult Social Care and Freedom to Speak Up is not being taken forward at this stage.
“I understand the current financial constraints affecting the health and care system, but I look forward to working with the Department of Health and Social Care on the introduction of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in Adult Social Care in the future.”