An east London health trust has signed up to a campaign that allows staff to speak out about patient safety concerns.

East London NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health and community services, has signed up to the Speak Out Safely campaign headed by the Nursing Times.

Jonathan Warren, director of nursing at the Trust, said: “We are absolutely committed to delivering the highest quality patient care we can. In order to do this it is vital that all our staff know they can raise concerns with us at any time and not feel worried about doing so. We are working hard to ensure we have a listening and learning culture in the Trust where these conversations happen as part of our day to day working practice. We want our staff to know it is OK to talk to their colleagues and managers about issues as this is crucial to help us improve the care we deliver to patients and maintain high standards.”

A spokeswoman for the Trust said: “Patient safety is our prime concern and our staff are often best placed to identify where care may be falling below the standard our patients deserve. We want every member of our staff to feel able to raise concerns with their line manager, or another member of the management team.

“We promise that where staff identify a genuine patient safety concern, we shall not treat them with prejudice and they will not suffer any detriment to their career. Instead, we will support them, fully investigate and, if appropriate, act on their concern.”

She said it would not be disloyal to colleagues for a member of staff to raise concerns; it was their duty to their patients.