I am a principal Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in the NHS. I support colleagues to speak up, raise concerns, whistle blow or share ideas in the public interest.

Sometimes things fall short of what is expected in public institutions, ie the Post Office, police, BBC and social care, as well as the NHS. Many ask, how could it happen? Why didn't anyone do something or speak up? Often they did, but were not heard; things were 'lost' or covered up. I too didn't fare well when I spoke up about patient safety - the detriment continues and it cost me dearly. My aim is to develop safer practice for the public, those speaking up and our public organisations - we need them.

I am using my Fellowship to better understand social and cultural approaches to speaking up and whistleblowing in the public interest. I will review European practice as well as visit Japan, South Korea, the USA and Philippines to learn what 'good' looks like. This includes researching civic duty approaches, policy, legislation, ideologies, reward incentives, cultural influences and barriers to speaking up. I will share my findings afterwards to generate discussion, improvement and safer supportive practice.