Welcoming Dr Lucy Stephenson as Bloomfield Health’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

BY: Bloomfield Health / March 31, 2026

At Bloomfield Health, we are committed to delivering high-quality, ethical, and patient-centred psychiatric care. A key part of this commitment is ensuring that everyone within our organisation—clinicians, staff, and partners—feels safe to raise concerns, share feedback, and speak openly.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Lucy Stephenson, Consultant Psychiatrist, has been appointed as our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.

What Is a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian?

The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role was introduced across healthcare settings following recommendations from the Francis Review (2015), which emphasised the importance of openness, transparency, and learning cultures within healthcare organisations.

A Freedom to Speak Up Guardian:

• Provides a confidential and impartial point of contact for staff and clinicians
• Supports individuals who wish to raise concerns about patient safety, clinical practice, or organisational processes
• Helps ensure that concerns are heard, addressed appropriately, and learned from
• Promotes a culture where speaking up is encouraged and protected, not feared

This role aligns with guidance from NHS England and reflects broader professional standards supported by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) regarding duty of candour and patient safety.

Why This Matters in Independent Psychiatry

In independent psychiatric practice, maintaining robust governance and a culture of openness is essential. Patients, referrers, and professional partners rely on:

• Clinical integrity and accountability
• Clear and ethical decision-making
• Responsive systems for raising and addressing concerns

By appointing a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Bloomfield Health strengthens its internal processes and reinforces its commitment to safe, transparent, and continuously improving care.

About Dr Lucy Stephenson

Dr Lucy Stephenson is a Consultant Psychiatrist with extensive clinical experience across a range of psychiatric settings. She brings:

• Strong expertise in clinical governance and patient safety
• A commitment to ethical, evidence-based practice
• A compassionate and approachable style that supports open dialogue

Her role as Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is independent of routine clinical management structures, ensuring that concerns can be raised without conflict or hesitation.

Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety

Speaking up in healthcare is not always easy. Research consistently shows that barriers such as fear of repercussions, uncertainty about processes, or concerns about being misunderstood can prevent individuals from raising important issues.

At Bloomfield Health, we aim to foster psychological safety, where:

• Staff feel respected and listened to
• Concerns are treated seriously and handled sensitively
• Learning and improvement are prioritised over blame

This approach reflects best practice in healthcare governance and is central to maintaining high standards of psychiatric care.

What This Means for Patients and Partners

While the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role is primarily an internal function, it has clear benefits for those who engage with our services:

• Patients and families can feel reassured that care is delivered within a culture of openness and accountability
• Referrers and legal professionals can trust that concerns are managed professionally and transparently
• Insurers and organisational partners can be confident in our governance structures and quality assurance processes

Our Ongoing Commitment

This appointment forms part of Bloomfield Health’s wider commitment to:

• Delivering evidence-based psychiatric assessments and treatment
• Upholding GMC and RCPsych professional standards
• Maintaining robust clinical governance and ethical practice
• Continuously improving through feedback, reflection, and learning

Contact and Further Information

If you would like to learn more about Bloomfield Health’s services, governance approach, or clinical team:

• Contact us via our website
• Explore our services in private psychiatry and medicolegal assessments
• Learn more about our clinical team and values