In this section...

  1. How we make decisions
  2. Our priorities
  3. Policies and procedures
  4. What we spend and how we spend it
  5. Who we are and what we do
  6. Work for us

Black lives matter

Our Board wholeheartedly commit to the creation of a more inclusive and accepting society for our colleagues and the people who use our services.

We will continue to promote inclusivity and tackle discrimination.

As a Trust, we are committed to promoting inclusivity, seeking out and confronting discrimination.

We recognise the importance of taking a stand against any form of discrimination. As highlighted by the events in the United States of America, and the subsequent global protests by Black Lives Matter. We will learn from this and the experiences of people nationally and locally to implement change in our organisation and beyond.

Our network of BAME colleagues

We are working to develop a network of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues. This will allow us to have more insight into their lives, the challenges they face, and how this can affect their health, safety, wellbeing, economic prosperity, and life opportunities.

These are important issues and we will do our absolute best to address these and other similar matters as they are brought to our attention.

Our promise

We will listen to the voices of our communities to understand the root of issues. We will work together to agree what changes are needed and how we take these forward. In this way we will make the transformation required for us all to be valued, equal members of an accepting, inclusive society.

For further information about the BAME network or any other issues, email our BAME network team.

Anti-fraud, bribery and corruption statement

We have signed up to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Everyone who acts on our behalf is responsible for maintaining our reputation. They should conduct their business honestly and professionally.

Bribery, fraud and corruption are harmful to our work. They undermine good governance. It is important we carry out our work in a transparent and ethical way. This helps ensure honest, open and fair competition in the NHS. We can lead by example and deliver excellent services to our patients.

We have a specialist counter-fraud service. ASW Assurance provide this service. They deliver an anti-bribery, fraud and corruption programme. Our Audit and Risk Committee oversees this work.

Transparent and fair conduct helps build stronger relationships between us and our partners. It is vital for our reputation and growth.

We do not tolerate any form of bribery from anyone acting on our behalf. Our Board and senior management are committed to putting effective systems in place across the Trust. These systems help us prevent, monitor and stop bribery, in line with the Bribery Act 2010.

Policies

We have updated our key policies. These set out our position on stopping and spotting fraud and bribery. These policies include:

  • counter fraud and bribery
  • conflicts of interest's
  • freedom to speak up or whistleblowing

These policies apply to all employees and anyone acting on our behalf. Everyone should read and follow them.

What is a bribe?

A bribe is a financial advantage or reward. It is offered, given, or received by an individual or company either directly or indirectly. Bribes may influence someone to perform their duties improperly.

Anyone acting on our behalf should not make, ask for, or accept a bribe or unauthorised payment.

Anti-bribery goals

We are open and honest when we receive offers of hospitality or promotional materials. We will seek approval before accepting any hospitality, in line with our policies.

We will not do business with providers or people who do not support our anti-bribery goals. If a third party acting on our behalf commits bribery, we may end the contract immediately.

When setting up new contracts, we use standard NHS terms. These are the NHS terms and conditions for the procurement of goods and non-clinical services.

Our success in tackling bribery depends on everyone acting on our behalf. We all have a role to play in spotting and stopping bribery. We ask anyone working with us to report suspected bribery. We will support anyone who makes a report in good faith.

Useful contacts

Senior counter fraud specialist:

NHS Counter Fraud Authority:

Safeguarding children declaration

The Board is assured that the following requirements are in place in line with the recommendations of the Care Quality Commission to ensure that systems and processes are in place to safeguard children and young people:

  • meets all statutory requirements in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service
  • has a child protection policy in place that meets with the requirements of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
  • has a process in place that meets with the standards agreed by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board to ensure all children who are not brought to appointments are followed up and safeguarding issues
  • has a safeguarding training programme which ensures compliance with the Intercollegiate document 2014 and compliance is monitored internally and by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board
  • the named nurse for the Trust, Zoe Cooper, is in place to fulfil the requirements as detailed in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and the named doctor is Dr Adrian Flynn
  • the Board-level executive lead with the responsibility for safeguarding is Kim O'Keeffe, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals
  • the Board receives annual updates from the named nurse

While we try to provide a useful range of links to other sites, we do not endorse any external linked sites and are not responsible for their content.

The local safeguarding children board is the statutory body responsible for protecting children and young people from significant harm and for promoting their welfare.

Safe staffing

Safe staffing means delivering high quality care to patients and requires nursing and care staff to have the right skills, in the right place, at the right time.

If you have any staffing concerns, call 01208 834 602.

2025 safe staffing data

2024 safe staffing data

2023 safe staffing data

2022 safe staffing data

Single-sex accommodation declaration

We are committed to ensuring our patients receive care in environments that support their privacy and dignity. It’s important we offer the best possible experience to our patients.

We are pleased to confirm that we are compliant with the government’s requirement to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, except when it is in the patient’s overall best interest or reflects their personal choice.

We have the necessary facilities, resources, and culture to ensure patients who are admitted to our hospitals have access to same-sex accommodation. This means all patients who stay in our hospital facilities will have their own single bedroom, with an ensuite bathroom.

If our care should fall short of the required standard, we will report it. We will also set up an audit mechanism to make sure that we do not misclassify any of our reports. We will publish the results of that audit at our Board meeting.

What is mixed-sex accommodation?

Mixed-sex accommodation is where patients of opposite gender have to share either sleeping accommodation, toilets, or washing facilities.

What do we mean by same-sex accommodation?

Same sex accommodation can be provided in:

  • single-sex wards, where the whole ward is occupied by men or women only in single rooms
  • mixed wards, where men and women are in separate bays or rooms

Separate toilet and washing facilities for men and women should also be provided, preferably within or next to the bay or room. Patients should not need to pass through opposite-sex accommodation or toilet and washing facilities to access their own.

Trade Union (facility time)

As part of our commitment to ensuring the views of staff are represented, we have a number of union representatives. These are either full-time roles or are undertaken in addition to the individual’s full-time (equivalent) role in the organisation. Full details are set out below.

  • Number of employees who were union officials: 8
  • Full-time equivalent number: 1
  • % of time spent on facility time:
    • 0% = 0
    • 1% to 50% = 7
    • 51% to 99% = 0
    • 100% = 1
  • Total cost of facility time: £51,646
  • Total pay bill: £193,364,000
  • % of pay bill spent on facility time: 0.03%
  • Paid Trade Union activities: 100%

Correct as of 22 July 2024.