27 February 2020

Carina Sheridan, Head of Patient Flow has been appointed as a dedicated Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSU).

From next week she will be based at CNWL Offices at 350 Euston Road.

Carina is a very experienced mental health nurse, with more than 40 years’ experience at all levels, from frontline clinical work to her current role as bed management lead for the Trust. She had been representing nursing staff in her role as a staff governor for many years. This appointment moves her into a full time service user governor role.

All staff should feel able to raise any concerns they have, particularly about patient care, which is important to us. Where staff feel that they can’t talk directly to their managers, they should raise the issues with Carina who will provide support and make sure issues are appropriately addressed.

Our staff governors will remain ambassadors for Freedom to Speak Up but Carina will have dedicated time to provide staff and teams with support and guidance.

Carina said, “I am really delighted to be taking on this role. My interest in FTSU began during my time as staff governor at CNWL, this role will now give me the opportunity to build on that experience and help promote Freedom to Speak Up at all levels across the Trust.

“As the Freedom to Speak up Guardian I will have the opportunity to encourage and support staff to be able to raise issues which may detract from patient care. One of the main aims is for staff to feel it is safe to raise concerns, confident that they will be listened to and that the concerns will be acted upon appropriately.

“I have a very good understanding of the Trust and its values. Those who know me will be aware that I am always passionate about what I do, and that will not change as I take on this new and exciting role.''