About Us

What is the National Guardian's Office?

The National Guardian’s Office and the role of the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian were created in response to recommendations made in Sir Robert Francis QC’s report “The Freedom to Speak Up” (2015).

These recommendations were made as Sir Robert found that NHS culture did not always encourage or support workers to speak up, and that patients and workers suffered as a result.

The office leads, trains and supports a network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in England and conducts speaking up reviews to identify learning and support improvement of the speaking up culture of the healthcare sector.

There are over 1,200 guardians in NHS and independent sector organisations, national bodies and elsewhere that ensure workers can speak up about any issues impacting on their ability to do their job. The National Guardian’s Office also provides challenge and learning to the healthcare system as a whole as part of its remit.

About the National Guardian

Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark

Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark is the National Guardian for the NHS.

She is a registered nurse with more than 30 years’ experience in healthcare.

She has experience in the NHS, higher education, voluntary and private sectors, as a nurse, leader, board member – as director and non-executive director – and a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.

Her specialist clinical area is end of life care in which she was awarded her PhD. She is the Independent Chair for the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board.

Find Your Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

Find out more about our strategy

Our refreshed vision for the work of the National Guardian’s Office, to improve workplace cultures, ensuring workers are confident to speak up, by providing expert support, guidance and challenge.

Find out more