The Society of Radiographers has said that it will back recommendations outlined in the overseas trained workers review, which gives key suggestions to eliminate barriers faced by overseas-trained workers in the NHS workforce.
Titled ‘Listening and learning: Amplifying the voices of overseas-trained workers, a review of the speaking up experiences of overseas-trained workers in England’, the 54-page report highlights challenges experienced by NHS workers who received training outside of the UK.
Overall, the aims of the review are to improve awareness of Speak Up culture amidst NHS workers who had been trained overseas and to come up with recommendations to support those workers.
The Freedom to Speak Up policy was created to encourage and protect NHS workers who wish to speak up about concerns they may have. Both the National Guardian’s Office and the role of a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian were created in response to suggestions made in Sir Robert Francis QC’s 2015 report ‘The Freedom to Speak Up’.
Review recommendations
The review was conducted from April to November 2024. This took place after a three-phase approach – a desktop review of existing literature, engagement with stakeholders, and data analysis and recommendations. The latter saw the four key themes identified, which the review states would encourage those trained overseas to speak up. These are:
- Reviewing and improving of the international recruitment guide and retention toolkit
- Tailoring the ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ policy to all staff
- Enhancing data collection and categorisation of overseas-trained workers to better quantify the progress of speaking up
- Recognising cultural barriers
Recommendations one, three and four are directed towards NHS England. Recommendation one is also for NHS employers, while recommendation two is for the National Guardian’s Office.
SoR involvement
As part of the Society’s commitment to the review’s recommendations, Dean Rogers, the SoR’s director of industrial strategy and member relations, is set to bring the review to the attention of some major players.
“We expect to raise the report at the Social Partnership Forum and with the Minister responsible, Karen Smyth,” he said. Ms. Smyth chairs the Social Partnership Forum (SPF). The next SPF meeting will take place later this year.
Mr Rogers will also write to NHS England’s Minister’s Office, requesting a response to the report.
The Society of Radiographers actively contributed to the research that formed the review. It is one of ten organisations acknowledged in the report for its help in making it possible, alongside groups such as NHS England, the Quality Care Commission and the Health and Care Professions Council.
To find out more about the ‘Listening and learning: Amplifying the voices of overseas-trained workers’ review, and to read the report in full, click here.