• Know your framework

    • NHS organisations must follow NHS Terms & Conditions (Agenda for Change) and their own grievance policies.

    • Issues can include bullying, discrimination, rota disputes, unsafe staffing.

    Steps

    • Log incidents with dates/times.

    • Check your Trust’s grievance procedure.

    • Submit in writing and keep copies.

    • If unresolved, escalate to union rep, ACAS, or ET.

    Use this next

    • Grievance Survival Toolkit → /toolkits/grievance

  • Your rights

    • Article 15 (UK GDPR): access your personal data.

    • Article 16, 18, 19: rectify, restrict, notify recipients.

    • NHS also covered by Access to Health Records Act 1990 for deceased patients.

    • FOI Act 2000: request organisational information.

    Tips

    • Include preservation notice in SAR.

    • FOI requests should ask for advice under Section 16 if near cost limits.

    Use this next

    • Data Governance Toolkit → /toolkits/data-governance

  • Protected disclosure (PIDA) applies for patient safety, fraud, malpractice, or cover-ups.

    Routes

    • Internal: your Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.

    • External (prescribed persons): CQC, NMC, GMC, HSE, NHS England, ICO.

    Use this next

    • Whistleblowing Toolkit → /toolkits/whistleblowing

  • NHS obligations

    • Protect patients, staff, and visitors from harm (Care Act 2014, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006).

    • Safeguarding applies to both children and adults at risk.

    Do

    • Report safeguarding concerns immediately via Trust procedures.

    • If ignored, escalate to CQC or local authority safeguarding boards.

    Use this next

    • Safeguarding Toolkit → /toolkits/safeguarding

  • Make it transparent

    • Access to CPD, revalidation support, leadership training.

    • Keep portfolio evidence of courses, audits, QI projects.

    If blocked

    • Request written feedback on rejections.

    • Raise concerns if opportunities are unfairly distributed.

    Use this next

    • Career Progression Toolkit (coming soon).

  • Who

    • CQC – care quality and safety.

    • HSE – workplace health and safety.

    • NMC/GMC/HCPC – professional conduct.

    • ICO – data breaches/SAR issues.

    • Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) – maladministration (via MP).

    Use this next

    • Engaging Regulators Toolkit → /toolkits/regulators

A team of surgeons performing an operation in an operating room, viewed from the perspective of a patient monitor showing vital signs.