Have you noticed a wrongdoing at work? I blew the whistle on the NHS. Here's how to speak up

As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming a nurse. Once qualified, my dream took me all over the world, to countries and job roles I had never imagined possible. I also never imagined that one day, my career would end because I spoke up about wrongdoing at work.

As a clinical commissioner for continuing healthcare, I raised concerns about the care of vulnerable patients. It was not well-received. My warnings along with the patients were buried. I went from being an award-winning clinician, to unemployed.

After several years in the wilderness, I eventually fought my way back to become a freedom to speak up guardian (FTSU). A go-to person in the NHS supporting others to find their voice, speak up or whistleblow. I have since been awarded an MBE and Churchill Fellowship for my work in this area.

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Sometimes there is a price to pay for Speaking Up, but the cost of silence can be higher for the individual and society. Grenfell Tower, Epstein and the Zeebrugge ferry disaster remind us someone knew information that was covered up, not shared or heard until too late. More tragedies are surfacing around maternity deaths, grooming gangs, corruption and environmental damage. We need to talk about them to deal with them. The Post Office scandal highlights, regardless of age, issue or circumstance, we need a better way to find our voice and be heard for appropriate action to be taken.

Too many find themselves voiceless or powerless through abuse of power on a daily basis. For example, discrimination, domestic violence, and workplace bullying can be corrupt and corrosive. If you could speak up about anything this year, what would it be? What or whom would you make a stand for? What is holding you back? Maybe 2026 is the year we could make a collective New Year resolution – to find our voice and listen to others.

Here are my top ten learnings from my fifteen years in whistleblowing and my work as a FTSU Guardian.

Acknowledge if you feel scared at the thought of speaking up or think it futile. You may have tried before and nothing happened. Practice ‘cutting your teeth’ on small things first and do not let embarrassment stop you. Speaking up, like any skill, can be built over time.  

Others may be surprised when you speak up – especially if you usually give in or let things slide. Going with the flow is noble, except when it is a mask. Many learn to keep quiet out of necessity and survival.

Do not confuse speaking up assertively and respectfully with ‘telling it as it is’. That is you telling it as you are, not what the situation is. Know the difference and your motive. Recognise what is and is not important or acceptable. Others might not agree but that becomes negotiation and difference of opinion, not submission.

Be still. Centre yourself. Notice any racing thoughts, intentions and breathing. If you hold your breath or tension, it will impact your voice and message. Slow down. You can think it through first and practice talking out loud by yourself or with a friend.

Confront a situation without becoming confrontational. Challenge without being challenging. Someone may become uncomfortable with what you are saying but that does not mean you are being unreasonable. Equally do not become defensive. Separate yourself from the message.

Find out if someone or an organisation may be able to assist you. For example, a union, Acas or Citizens Advice. Do you need a translator or any other adjustments?

Pick your moment – read the room, the situation and the other person. If they show signs of being agitated, postpone the conversation or proceed with caution. State the issue and what it means. Be clear if there are consequences but do not catastrophise or give ultimatums.

Pause. Give the person time to think, reflect and respond. Acknowledge that. Suggest you meet again to discuss further. If the situation deteriorates, play safe. Bring the situation to a close and leave the door open to revisit when things are calmer. Recognise in some situations you may have to leave to be heard.

Where possible, offer solutions or alternative approaches. If appropriate suggest you work together to explore solutions or options. The old adage “come to me with solutions, not problems” is best left in the 80’s. Your role is to voice something is amiss.

Document the conversation when needed. Sometimes, you may need to document the conversation and follow up with an email to clarify and confirm your understanding.

Learning to speak up can feel messy and uncomfortable, but do not let that stop you. It simply means you are moving out of your comfort zone into a much bigger world.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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