Step 1: Identify a Concern
If you identify a concern that you believe is in the public interest, consider whether it relates to patient safety, service quality, governance, financial malpractice, or other matters that could affect the public.
Step 2: Review the Relevant Policy
Access and review the Northern Health & Social Care Trust’s Policy on Raising Concerns in the Public Interest to understand the available routes for reporting your concern and the support available to you.
Step 3: Choose How to Raise the Concern
You can raise the concern in one of the following ways:
Option A: Informal Discussion with Your Line Manager
Raise the concern informally with your line manager.
Option B: Informal Discussion with an Alternative Senior Representative
If you do not feel able to approach your line manager, raise the concern informally with:
- A Raising Concerns Advocate, or
- Another senior manager.
Option C: Formal Reporting
Raise the concern formally with:
- Your manager,
- A Raising Concerns Advocate, or
- Another senior manager.
Step 4: Consider the Outcome of the Informal Discussion
Following an informal discussion, one of three outcomes may occur:
Outcome 1: Concern Resolved
If the concern is satisfactorily resolved, the process ends.
Outcome 2: Concern Not Resolved
If the concern remains unresolved, it progresses to the formal process.
Outcome 3: Serious Concern Identified
If the concern is considered serious, it should immediately progress to the formal process.
Step 5: Alternative Reporting Routes
A concern may also be raised directly with:
- The Chief Executive (CEX) or Trust Board
- The media
- A prescribed body
- The Minister for Health
- The Department of Health
- The Trust anonymously
These concerns will also enter the formal process where appropriate.
Step 6: Formal Process
All formal concerns are managed through the Trust’s formal raising concerns procedure.
Step 7: Screening Process
The concern is reviewed through a screening process to determine the nature of the issue and the most appropriate way forward.
Step 8: Identify the Appropriate Process
The Trust identifies the most appropriate process for handling the concern. This may include investigation under relevant policies or procedures.
Step 9: Investigation
The concern is investigated in accordance with the identified process.
Step 10: Provide Feedback
Where possible, feedback is provided to the individual who raised the concern.
Note: Feedback cannot normally be provided where the concern was raised anonymously.
Step 11: Governance and Oversight
The outcome is reported through the appropriate governance structures, which may include:
- The Department of Health
- The Audit Committee
- The Trust Board
Step 12: Share Learning
Any lessons learned are shared across the organisation to support continuous improvement and help prevent similar concerns arising in the future.