A leading independent mental health charity has pledged to enhance its workplace culture by empowering nurses and staff to raise concerns confidently, as part of a national initiative focused on accountability and improvement in healthcare.
St Andrew’s Healthcare, which supports some of the most vulnerable people in society, announced its renewed commitment during National Speak Up Week, held from Monday 13th to Friday 17th October. The annual campaign, led by the independent National Guardian’s Office (NGO), highlights the theme of Follow Up, encouraging healthcare providers to ensure concerns lead to visible and meaningful change.
The charity’s efforts form part of a wider internal programme supported by its Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardians. The aim is to strengthen understanding across the organisation of how raising issues contributes to higher standards of patient care.
Frontline staff have received enhanced training on openness and accountability, while 17 newly appointed FTSU ambassadors are being upskilled to support colleagues and triage reports effectively. They join the existing team of eight Guardians to ensure every voice is heard.
Key initiatives introduced to promote the Speak Up culture include:
- Proactive outreach: Guardians and ambassadors are visiting wards and teams to increase awareness of the confidential programme.
- Visual and communication tools: Posters and information materials have been placed across all sites, including the charity’s Northampton headquarters and facilities in Essex, Birmingham, and Nottinghamshire.
- Robust feedback mechanisms: A structured process ensures those who raise concerns receive timely updates on actions taken, reinforcing the Follow Up message.
Angela Shaw, associate director of patient safety and FTSU lead, said: “We’ve been working very hard across the charity to ensure everyone understands that speaking up isn’t the end of the conversation, it’s where real change begins. We’re creating a workplace culture where speaking up is safe, valued, and leads to meaningful change.
“This year’s national theme is Follow Up, and as a charity we’ve been turning words into action, making sure that every concern raised is heard, acted upon, and followed through. Following up is how we build trust, demonstrate accountability, and bring our CARE values – Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence – to life.”
Founded in 1838 as Northampton General Lunatic Asylum, St Andrew’s Healthcare remains an independent charity that provides specialist inpatient and community mental healthcare for around 600 patients, most referred by the NHS. It treats complex conditions including severe mental illness, learning disabilities, brain injuries, autism, and dementia, and collaborates with the NHS, voluntary groups, and academic institutions on research and innovation.
Dr Vivienne McVey, Chief Executive of St Andrew’s Healthcare, said: “Creating a culture where speaking up is safe, valued, and acted upon is not optional, it’s essential. Our Speak Up programme empowers every member of staff to raise concerns confidently, knowing their voice will be heard. We are committed to listening, following up, and continuously improving the care we provide.
“We’ve worked hard to actively encourage staff to speak up, and we’ve also benefited from guidance provided by Helené Donnelly OBE, a pioneer of the NHS Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role. Her support has been invaluable. We are building a culture where every voice matters and where raising concerns is seen as a courageous act of care.”
Helené Donnelly OBE, a nurse and former lead Freedom to Speak Up guardian at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, played a pivotal role in shaping the FTSU framework after the 2013 Francis Report into failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Her work helped establish the Ambassador for Cultural Change role and ensured that every trust has dedicated Guardians to address whistleblowing and cultural safety.
Established in 2016, the NGO promotes a culture where healthcare staff feel safe and supported to speak up without fear of retaliation. It coordinates a network of over 1,200 Guardians across NHS and independent sector organisations, providing training and conducting reviews to strengthen speaking up practices across England.
The charity’s pledge comes as UK mental health services face increasing pressures, with rising referrals for complex cases. Encouraging staff to speak up and ensuring strong follow up mechanisms help maintain transparency, protect patients, and support staff well-being.
St Andrew’s ongoing work demonstrates a growing cultural shift across the healthcare sector, where speaking up is not only encouraged but embedded as a key part of providing safe and high-quality care.
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