65% of NHS Clinicians Report a Fear of Speaking Up
Recent high-profile, tragic events in the NHS have given NHS England cause to write to every Trust and ICB about the need to ensure a “healthy and supporting culture where everyone feels safe to speak up”.
But how can that be achieved?
What is needed from an organisational and individual perspective to help build the culture, courage, and skills to do so?
Last week The Bravest Path, a leading provider of leadership development, mental health and wellbeing resources, hosted clinicians from across the NHS at a Courage to Speak Up webinar, where 65% of clinicians reported they hold back from speaking up because of a fear of consequences and repercussions, and 42% reported they didn’t know HOW to do so in a way that was productive.
Enabling a Speaking up Culture within the NHS:
“With the recent news of how difficult it is for people to speak up and be heard within some NHS Trusts with devastating consequences, we offered this free webinar so that more could benefit from these practical tools that can be implemented as quickly as their next shift.” Said Bethan Davies, MD of The Bravest Path.
“It is not enough to have speaking up guardians. When we focus on creating cultures where the systems support the people speaking up, not just people hearing the message, and leaders cultivate openness through practising empathy, we are more likely to maximise the chances of hearing what’s really going on.”
“No-one finds these conversations easy, but we need to normalise the fears and barriers behind speaking up to enable people to move through these concerns and find their voice with courage. We need to look at the deeper reasons behind this and provide frameworks and language to help move people into action.”
“On our last Braver than Before programme a massive 75% of participants agreed they are more likely to speak up as a result of attending.”
NHS clinicians referenced the tools as “This is a great framework to follow – a tool to support me!” and shared that, “It helped me challenge the stories I make up; I’ll use the tool in conversation with a colleague to resolve a conflict.”
Most importantly the learning moved people to take action. “I’m going to have a brave conversation now – thank you, really useful session!"
Bethan Davies, MD of The Bravest Path shared “I have personally experienced first-hand amazing care from the NHS who supported me when I was at my most fragile and so I wanted to offer something back to those who helped me. Hence the formation of The Bravest Path and the launch of a series of complimentary webinars for all NHS staff, including this recent ‘Speaking Up’ session.”
“We encourage all those in the NHS to visit our website, to take a look at the programmes we offer and learn how they have made such an important difference to their colleagues. Also, to learn how they too can take advantage of our programmes and complimentary webinars.”
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About The Bravest Path
The Bravest Path is a courage-building consultancy, working across the NHS to make world-class leadership development accessible to all NHS staff at every stage of their careers. At Trust, ICB and national level, the NHS partner with The Bravest Path to increase talent attraction, retention, performance, and wellbeing via a range of services including keynote speaking, large scale webinars and their flagship Braver Than Before ® leadership programme.
The Bravest Path approach is human focused, creating safe and trusting environments that promote psychologically safe cultures in which individuals feel connected and empowered to bring greater authenticity and courage to both their professional and personal lives.
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Press Contact:
Gareth Davies, Co-Founder and Director
Tel: 07500 203269
Email: Gareth@thebravestpath.com
For more information visit www.thebravespath.com
Or send an enquiry to Info@thebravestpath.com
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