A Freedom to Speak Up Guardian helps workers in healthcare organisations in England raise concerns when other channels feel blocked. Guardians work in NHS trusts, primary care organisations, integrated care boards and independent providers, and each organisation must publish its guardian's name and contact details. The National Guardian's Office closed on 30 June 2026, and NHS England took over national support for guardians from 1 July 2026.
Key facts
- Where guardians work
- NHS trusts, primary care organisations, integrated care boards and independent healthcare providers in England
- Who can speak to a guardian
- Workers in the organisation. Guardians can still help former employees.
- How to find yours
- Your organisation's speaking up policy and website, which must list the guardian's name and contact details
- National Guardian's Office
- Closed 30 June 2026, following Dr Penny Dash's July 2025 review of patient safety
- National support now
- NHS England, from 1 July 2026. Contact centre: 0300 311 22 33.
- Contract status
- The guardian role remains in the NHS Standard Contract for 2026/27
- Oversight
- CQC checks speaking-up arrangements, including in Well-led inspections of trusts
- Not a regulator
- Guardians do not investigate as regulators and do not give legal advice
What a guardian does
A guardian listens to your concern, explains the options, and makes sure the concern reaches someone able to act. Guardians make sure people who speak up are thanked, receive a response and get feedback on what happened next.
You can raise any concern affecting patient care or the working environment. Examples include unsafe staffing on a ward, a pattern of medication errors in a hospital pharmacy, bullying which stops staff reporting incidents, or pressure on a GP practice team to hit targets at the expense of safety.
How to find your guardian
- Search your organisation's intranet or public website for "Freedom to Speak Up".
- Read the speaking up policy, which names the guardian and other people responsible for speaking up.
- If you work in primary care, ask your practice manager or integrated care board which guardian covers your practice.
- If you cannot find a guardian, ask NHS England through the contact centre on 0300 311 22 33.
The National Guardian's Office kept a public register of guardians until the office closed. The register has now closed, so your own organisation is the place to look.
What changed in 2026
Dr Penny Dash's review of patient safety, published in July 2025, recommended changes to national bodies. The National Guardian's Office closed on 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, NHS England took on general enquiries, specialist support for guardians, the free foundation training, national data collection and policy guidance.
Local organisations now carry more responsibility. Each one must publish guardian names and contact details, make sure guardians complete training before starting, support their development and arrange psychological support for guardians. CQC checks these arrangements. NHS England plans to review expectations for primary care in 2026/27 and for other sectors in 2027/28.
A guardian is one option among several
You can raise a concern with your line manager, a senior leader, a guardian or an external body. A guardian suits staff who feel unable to use the normal line. If the concern is serious and internal channels fail, regulators such as the GPhC, GMC, NMC and CQC accept concerns from staff. Before you go outside your employer, call Protect for free, confidential whistleblowing advice. Our guides to speaking up, raising concerns and protected disclosures explain how the law protects you.
Speaking up outside England
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians are an England arrangement. In Wales, the Speaking Up Safely framework, announced on 20 September 2023, sets out a consistent approach for NHS Wales organisations. In Scotland, the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer is the final stage for whistleblowing concerns about NHS services, on 0800 008 6112. See our Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland pages.
Looking after yourself
Speaking up can feel isolating, especially in a small team. Read retaliation after speaking up and patient confidentiality and speaking up. Keep dated notes in a safe place, as our guide to safe records explains. The support finder lists wellbeing services for your profession.
Common questions
What does a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian do?
A guardian helps workers raise concerns when other channels feel unavailable. The guardian makes sure the concern gets a response and the person who spoke up gets feedback.
How do I find my Freedom to Speak Up Guardian?
Look at your organisation's speaking up policy or website, which must publish the guardian's name and contact details. If you cannot find one, contact NHS England on 0300 311 22 33.
Has the National Guardian's Office closed?
Yes. The National Guardian's Office closed on 30 June 2026. NHS England took over national support for guardians from 1 July 2026.
Are Freedom to Speak Up Guardians still required?
Yes. The guardian role remains in the NHS Standard Contract for 2026/27, and organisations must publish their guardian arrangements.
Can a guardian give me legal advice?
No. A guardian supports you to speak up. For legal advice on whistleblowing, call Protect or speak to a union or solicitor.