Summary
We are initiating a Speak Up Review to understand the speaking up experiences of overseas-trained workers in order to develop recommendations so as to foster a more inclusive culture
Overseas-trained workers make up a significant and growing portion of the healthcare workforce in England. They come from a diverse range of countries and professions, and their ability to speak up confidently is critical to patient care and safety.
However, our data and gathered from stakeholders raises concerns about the extent to which these workers feel free to speak up.
We are initiating a Speak Up Review to understand the speaking up experiences of overseas-trained workers. We are seeking to identify the challenges and barriers to speaking up for these workers and highlight examples of good and innovative practices. Our aim is to develop actionable recommendations out of this Review in order to improve policies and practices, fostering a more inclusive and supportive Speak Up culture throughout healthcare.
Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark, National Guardian for the NHS said: “Overseas NHS Workers Day – held on Friday 1st March – is a day to show our appreciation for these workers, a vital part of our workforce. I have been increasingly concerned that the voices of overseas-trained workers are not always being heard, and in some cases are being silenced. It is vital that we listen to these dedicated workers.”
Our review will focus on the speak up culture and arrangements within the NHS, specifically regarding overseas-trained workers in primary and secondary healthcare settings. We will not investigate individual speaking up cases as part of this review.
We are committed to capturing the perspectives and experiences of workers through various channels, including direct invitations to volunteers, contractors, and former colleagues. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved [email protected].
Terms of Reference for this review will be published shortly.