The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has signed the ‘speaking up’ charter, drawn up by the NHS Employers organisation, to play its part in helping to create a just culture where individuals are supported in raising concerns about standards of care.
The charter has been signed by a range of healthcare organisations including regulators, trade unions and professional bodies, who have agreed to work in partnership to promote an open culture where it is possible for employees to raise concerns without negative repercussions, and in turn provide safer patient and public care.
The GPhC has signed a joint letter with other regulators expressing support for the aims of the charter. The letter says:" We will continue to remind healthcare professionals of their duty to raise concerns and encourage them to do so where patient safety is at risk, working with healthcare organisations to foster an open culture in which patient safety is paramount".
The GPhC’s guidance on raising concerns makes it clear that every pharmacy professional has a duty to raise any concerns about individuals, actions or circumstances that may be unacceptable and that could result in risks to patient and public safety. The guidance also gives advice on how to effectively raise concerns.