Posted on: 21 October 2020

Carina Sheridan has taken up the role of Speak Up Guardian for CNWL. She has worked for CNWL for over 20 years during which time she served two terms as a staff governor. 

It was during this period that Carina became familiar with the Speak Up Role and the purpose of creating these roles in all Trusts in response to the recommendations of made in the Sir Robert Francis report,  ‘’The Freedom to Speak Up’’ (2015).

The main purpose of the role is to:

  • Protect patient safety and the quality of care 
  • Improve the experience of workers 
  • Promote learning and improvement 

By making sure: 

  • All staff are supported when speaking up 
  • Barriers to speaking up are addressed 
  • A positive culture of speaking up is fostered 
  • Issues raised are used as opportunities for learning and improvement.

Carina has a very good understanding of the Trust and believes having a clinical background is an asset for this role but most of all she is passionate about improving patient care.

As the Speak up Guardian she will encourage and support staff to raise issues which might detract from patient care and to support any staff who do so.