As a result of a report conducted by the National Guardians Office which looked at how the way listening to workers can help the way different ambulance trusts in England operate, a set of findings and corrective measures have been published in order to improve the situation. The report which was published in February 2023, called for an independent review of the culture which is used in the way the ambulance sector operates. The main findings of the report were that a negative impact on the ability workers have to speak up is drastically impacting worker well-being and patient safety. The NHS in England remains strongly committed to maintaining their ambition to protecting the various ambulance trusts all over the NHS.
The governing body wants to continually improve the high standards of the experience in it’s workforce whilst also protecting the lives and improving the experiences of any of the patients they cater for. The health service should be universally safe for all patients and staff and no bullying should be tolerated based on bullying and harassment, sexual harassment, misogyny, discrimination or abuse in any health and care setting.
In the past year, the health service launched its first ever charter which looked in to the standard of sexual safety. This was produced in collaboration with key partners across the health system to help provide a clearer view in to the different mechanisms which can be operating that help train and support different members of staff. This helps to ensure that there is a zero tolerance approach to sexual misconduct. Policies are also being created to help members of staff report any incidents of sexual misconduct that they may come across.
In June, the NHS published it’s first equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) improvement plan, which sets out targeted actions to address the prejudice and discrimination – direct and indirect – that exists through behaviour, policies, practices and cultures against certain groups and individuals across the NHS workforce.
As a result of the new measures which have been put in place, Dr Navina Evans, chief workforce, training and education officer, NHS England said: “This is an incredibly important report, and we welcome its recommendations, which will help build on the work we have already been doing through the NHS People Plan, and equality, diversity and inclusion improvement plan.
“We are committed to supporting ambulance trusts and all NHS organisations to continuously improve staff experience and services for patients – everyone working in the NHS must feel safe from any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination or abuse, and feel confident that they can raise concerns and that they will be taken seriously and acted on.
“Our NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out how we will do more to ensure staff and volunteers have equal opportunity within a compassionate and inclusive culture, and we look forward to working with ambulance trusts, local integrated care boards and key stakeholders to implement the recommendations in this report.”
Everything should be done to help improve the quality of the lives of patients using the NHS and the varying services that work under it. This way we can help to improve the health of the nation thus building a stronger and better functioning economy. If people receive a better standard of care, it will mean that there is a higher chance that they will be able to lead a more independent life with out having to rely on anyone else. This will help to create a better functioning health service which will be more valuable to the country and the different patients who use it.
