The pandemic has highlighted that speaking up has never been more important, yet some workers who feared for their safety in this challenging time were let down by leaders who were not listening. NHS and key workers, who were applauded as heroes by the public, are now overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out.

As general practice nurses (GPNs), you have a key role to play in patient safety, looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society, so you will be well aware of the importance of being able to speak up, whether to raise a concern or with an idea for improvement. Listening and acting upon matters raised means that Freedom to Speak Up helps to deliver on the promise of the NHS as the best place to work.

In the five years since the National Guardian’s Office was set up, much has been achieved. A network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians has been developed, who are amplifying the voices of those who might otherwise not be heard, breaking down barriers to speaking up, and promoting the use of speaking up as a valuable opportunity to learn and improve. There are now over 700 Freedom to Speak Up Guardians supporting more than 400 organisations.

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