Safe Learning and Speaking Up

Raising Concerns and Speaking Up

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to creating safe, respectful, and supportive learning environments for all students.

As future registrants of health care professions, our students have a duty of care to patients, clients, service users and their carers. It is therefore essential that they are empowered to raise concerns where they believe patient or client safety, treatment, dignity or comfort is compromised.

As a medical student, member of staff, placement educator, or member of the public, you may sometimes become concerned about something you have seen, heard, or experienced.

This might relate to:

• patient safety;
• poor supervision;
• bullying, discrimination, or harassment;
• professionalism or behaviour;
• unsafe learning environments;
• wellbeing or psychological safety;
• or educational quality and placement experiences.

If something does not feel right, please speak to someone.

You do not need to be certain before asking for help.

Immediate Risk 

In the case of immediate risk, do not wait to alert University staff: 
• Act immediately 
• Report concerns verbally to the person in charge or an appropriate person such as the safeguarding lead 
• Submit a Notification form as soon as you can 

Contact Us

FMHS-Quality@buckingham.ac.uk

Scan the QR code below to access the reporting system

What Happens Next?

Please provide as much information as you can by completing the Notification Form.

Your concern will be reviewed by the Faculty Quality Team and senior Faculty staff responsible for student support, patient safety, and educational quality.

Information will be handled sensitively and in line with the Faculty’s Raising Concerns and Speaking Up procedures.

Where appropriate, relevant information may be shared with the placement provider or other relevant services so that concerns can be reviewed, investigated, and addressed appropriately.

We aim to acknowledge concerns promptly and, where possible, provide an update on progress within 10 working days.

Support and advice are available throughout the process.

Unsure about submitting a form?

You can contact the FMHS Quality Team, Your educational Supervisor or the Undergraduate Clinical Education Lead  for confidential support and guidance. 

Speaking up protects patients, supports learners, and improves healthcare.