Nuneaton's hospital has explained how it aims to make sure that no 'evil' Lucy Letby-type incidents ever happen within its departments. The actions of the former neonatal nurse, who murdered seven infants and attempted to murder six others, sent shockwaves not just through the NHS, but across the nation.
Natalie Mills, the chair of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the George Eliot Hospital, asked at a board meeting what the hospital was doing to stop any repeats of the tragic incidents happening locally. "In view of the tragic happenings at the Countess of Chester Hospital, can you assure the people in our area that we have safeguards in place to prevent this happening at the George Eliot Hospital and how do you protect those that speak up about a concern?”
It was an issue that had been discussed throughout the board meeting and it was explained that staff had access to the Freedom To Speak Up (FTSU) ambassadors to raise concerns. The PALS chair asked if this was linked to the staff member's line manager - or could they approach anyone with concerns.
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The FTSU advisor explained that the FTSU role was across the organisation. It means any staff member at any level within the organisation could approach the FTSU team to raise a concern, openly, confidentially, and anonymously if preferred.
Russell Hardy, the hospital's chair of the board, said: "While we can be assured, we shouldn't be naive. Fortunately, in the history of the NHS, there have been very few situations arise of this type of very ill, evil people working in a position of care.
"It does happen very rarely and all members and colleagues need to support one another, but equally recognise when things aren't working out. " Glen Burley, the hospital's Chief Executive, explained that as well as FTSU, staff also had access to the trust’s Rumour Mill, which is an intranet portal that staff could use to anonymously post questions or issues they may have, which the hospital then responds for all to see.
David Carr, a PALS member, added that the hospital had been innovative in the way it moved away from whistle-blowing to freedom to speak up. But he added the hospital could pioneer a way for the NHS to bring in an independent trained person as part of Freedom To Speak Up team.
The board chair said that the hospital could assess the advantage of having someone externally helping on the FTSU team.
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