The report says workplace culture issues such as favoritism, bullying and harassment prevent emergency workers from speaking out about wrongdoing.
The National Protection Agency will conduct a Speak Up review of UK ambulance trusts after “consistent findings” showed that speaking up culture “appears to be more difficult” compared to other parts of the NHS. was carried out.
The report claims that “the culture at the Ambulance Trust was negatively impacting on workers’ ability to have a voice”.
Some staff expressed the feeling that the process was wasteful, with one reviewer saying: “Managers can be given leadership awards and then promoted if they have 40 complaints raised about them.” stated.
The report said fears were also “more acute” among certain groups, such as ambulance technicians and paramedics.
The report said there were “broader cultural issues” such as “favoritism and factionalism, ‘command and control’ decision-making, bullying and harassment” that were affecting workers’ confidence to speak out. Ta.
The investigation also found a “lack of respect for confidentiality” when employees spoke up, and that issues were not handled in accordance with policy.
Siobhan Melia, chair of the Ambulance Culture Review, said: “Ambulance staff work in some of the most high-pressure environments to provide care to patients. My own experience of working in an ambulance has shown me that this important job is carried out by dedicated and caring people. I’ve seen it done first hand, staff.
“But I have also seen cultural issues, so this review looks at how the local, regional and national NHS can work differently with ambulance trusts to enable more cultural improvements. This is an opportunity to think about it.”
NHS England published a national speech policy in June 2022, encouraging workers to “speak out about things that interfere with patient care or impact on their professional lives”.
In the 2021 NHS staff survey, only 51.6% of emergency workers said they felt confident in voicing concerns. The national average was 62.0%.
The National Guardianship Office acknowledged that some trusts were working to improve the situation, but called for an independent cultural review to be supervised by ministers.
It also said the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHS England should regulate improving the culture of speaking up, make speaking up training compulsory and encourage trusts to He called for “meaningful investment in the role of guardian of freedom to speak out.”
Tracy Nichols, CEO of the College of Paramedics, who was interviewed as part of the stakeholder process, said: Recognize that work is already being done to improve the culture within the sector.
“Our members have raised all of these points with us, and I am sure they will provide reassurance that important issues are being properly highlighted.”
Nichols said “implementation and continued focus” on the findings “is critical moving forward and meaningful action must be recognized by all stakeholders and staff.”
He added: “Those affected by the issues raised in this report may be disappointed by the time it will inevitably take to address the recommendations, but the University will continue to support its members. We will continue to listen and work with actors to ensure we maintain focus.” We hope that our continued efforts continue to foster a respectful and safe workplace culture. ”
Dr Navina Evans, NHS England’s chief workforce, training and education officer, welcomed the report, describing it as “incredibly important”.
“We support Ambulance Trusts and all NHS organizations and are committed to continually improving staff experiences and services for patients. “Everyone working in the NHS is committed to supporting Ambulance Trusts and all NHS organizations in continuously improving staff experiences and services for patients. “They must feel safe from discrimination, abuse and have confidence that they can raise concerns, and that they will be taken seriously and acted upon,” she said.
“Our NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out how we will further work to ensure equal opportunities for staff and volunteers within a caring and inclusive culture, and will help Ambulance Trusts, We look forward to working with regional integrated care committees and key stakeholders to implement the recommendations” in this report. ”
Sir Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, said: “It is important that staff have the confidence to speak up and this review will help address serious cultural issues within the ambulance service. “This represents a welcome pragmatic move by the United States.”
“Trust leaders agree there is no place for bullying and harassment in the NHS and no room for complacency. Staff and patients must be safe.”
He added that NHS trusts are “working hard to protect the health of staff and improve leadership and inclusion, while striving to meet the service’s operational targets under great pressure.”
“Trust leaders are committed to working closely with partners across the health and care system to implement the review’s recommendations,” Sir Julian said.