Being open, speaking up and being human – what does this all mean?

Speaking up can often be seen as a huge personal risk to those who choose to speak out. This includes across the health and social care system.

In this episode in the ‘Care to chat’ 2026 podcast series, our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE speaks to Professor Peter McBride, Strategic Advisor and Organisational Consultant, Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council and Briege Donaghy, Chief Executive, Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). They shine a light on why more needs to be done to ensure workers can speak up. The conversation explores what ‘speaking up’ means for social workers and social care practitioners, and their colleagues across the health and social system.

We publish this episode as World Patient Safety Day is being recognised. With a palpable shift being felt across the system, recognising culture and safety across all public services, are more than policies and procedures (though these still need to be in place), listen in to hear to understand how these changes are not a choice but a necessity.