Protection for Whistleblowers
We celebrate the fact that people speak up, and are committed to creating an open, transparent and safe working culture where workers feel able to speak up. We encourage staff to raise concerns as part of our values-based behaviours, to help us to keep improving our services for our patients and the working environment for our staff. We are committed to supporting all staff who raise concerns, and acting on any concerns raised.
For more detailed information, please look at our Raising concerns at work policy , which combines local best practice with recommendations from a range of independent external bodies.
Following the Francis Inquiry and the subsequent Freedom to Speak Up Review, all acute trusts have appointed a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. This person provides independent, confidential advice and support to any worker who has a concern, and advises our senior leaders on improvements that can be made to our culture and processes to encourage workers to speak up.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust also supports the Nursing Times Speak Out Safely campaign, which aims to make it safe for NHS staff to raise concerns about patient care and safety.
We encourage patients, carers or relatives who have concerns about standards of care to contact our Patient and Customer Service department on 0161 419 5678 or you can write to:
Patient and Customer Service Department, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK2 7JE.
Appreciation, Complaints or Concerns
We are always interested to hear from you if you think we have done something well or if you have suggestions on how we could do something differently. Equally we want to know if you are unhappy with the service provided or have a complaint. We see all feedback as an opportunity to review our services, so that we can make sure we are offering appropriate services that are right for your needs.
If you would like to tell us about your experience, give thanks or comment on what we did well, please use this simple online form on our contact us page.
Health and Social Care Act 2008
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 ensures that NHS Trusts are open and transparent with people who use services in relation to care and treatment. It also sets out specific requirements that hospitals must follow when things go wrong with care and treatment, including informing people about the incident, providing reasonable support, providing truthful information and an apology when things go wrong. For more information, see our Being Open and Duty of Candour Policy.
If you decide to make a complaint
You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of care provided by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. Many people find it useful to discuss concerns straight away with the ward or department, or with our patient and customer service department. However, you do not need to have previously done this in order to make a formal complaint.
If you do decide to make a complaint, this should normally be no more that twelve months after the event you are complaining about.
Our experience has shown us that when someone puts their complaint in writing, it gives them the opportunity to really consider the questions they wish to be addressed along with their desired outcome, all of which are very helpful in assisting us to resolve complaints.
You can contact our patient and customer service department on 0161 419 5678 or you can write to:
Patient and Customer Service Department, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK2 7JE.
Independent Advocacy
Anyone making a complaint about NHS services can receive free independent advice and support from specialist advocacy services if they wish. These services are commissioned by Local Authorities so the service you access will depend on who your local council is. To find out which service to access in your area, speak to our Patient and Customer Service Department or alternatively you can contact your local council directly.