21st November 2022
“SPEAK UP TO STOP ABUSE”
This week marks the start of Adult Safeguarding Week (21st – 25th November). The aim of the week is to raise awareness about adult safeguarding, to ensure people know what the signs of abuse are and know how to report safeguarding concerns.
To help with raising awareness of the importance of Adult Safeguarding, Belfast Trust has launched information noticeboards which detail what safeguarding means, what might put people at risk, what to do if you or someone you know is being abused, and who to speak to about your concern.
Joel McFetridge, Adult Safeguarding Lead for Belfast Trust Hospital Sites, explained why it is important to have the noticeboards available on wards,
“Safeguarding is everyone’s business. We want our patients, service users, their families and our staff to have information readily available about Adult Safeguarding so that it is clear to everyone what it means and how they can report any concerns they may have.”
Belfast Trust will be using the awareness raising week to highlight the “Speak Up To Stop Abuse” campaign, reinforcing the message that all concerns will be listened to and taken seriously, they will be responded to in a timely manner, and steps will be taken to reduce harm.
Ward Sister in Meadowlands at Musgrave Park Hospital, Tammy Taggart-McKeown said,
“It’s important that patients have a positive patient experience when they are in our care and that they feel safe and secure in this environment. So having these noticeboards with information about keeping people safe visible on wards helps people to understand what abuse is and how to raise concerns. We hope that having the information available will encourage people to report any concerns they may have and reassure them that we will work with them to resolve any issues.”
Find out more in this short video: