Helené Donnelly and Kath Chambers are Freedom to Speak Up Guardians at MPFT and they lead the Trust’s work to create a supportive, listening culture for staff, including overseeing a team of staff members who volunteer as Culture Change Champions. The champions act as a first port of call for colleagues wishing to raise concerns or seek advice over matters such as unsafe patient care, working conditions or cultures of bullying and can signpost them to the most appropriate channels.
Helené Donnelly, a nurse who was instrumental in Freedom to Speak Up becoming a nationwide initiative said: “I am thrilled that the team has been shortlisted for the HSJ Awards and to receive recognition for the work we are doing at MPFT to create a supportive staff culture, where our staff feel able to raise concerns and seek advice.
“This nomination is not only recognition for Kath and I but for our fantastic team of Culture Change Champions who are so passionate about making a difference for their colleagues, and also for MPFT’s leadership team who share our desire to make creating a supportive culture for staff an absolute priority.”
Neil Carr, Chief Executive of MPFT added: “This is wonderful news and testament to the work of the Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up team. The HSJ Awards are one of the largest celebrations of health care excellence in the world, recognising and promoting the finest achievements in the NHS, so to be shortlisted out of over 1,500 entrants is a great honour.”
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Intercontinental London hotel on 21 November.