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

Declarations

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:

Antisemitism statement in response to the Lord Mann review

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we believe that everyone has the right to be their true selves at work. We are committed to taking an anti-discrimination and anti-racism approach in every aspect of our work, ensuring that all colleagues and patients feel a genuine sense of belonging, and are safe and protected from harm caused by racism, antisemitism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, misogyny, or any other form of discrimination.

We are clear that hate incidents, discrimination and unacceptable behaviour should not be tolerated and will be challenged. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to speak up and report concerns, knowing they will be listened to, with confidence that reports will be treated seriously, handled fairly, and used to drive meaningful learning, continuous improvement and lasting change.

To support this, the Trust has established a Hate Incident Review Group to provide robust oversight and leadership. Chaired by an executive director, the group brings together intelligence from reported incidents within the Trust and from partner organisations, including the police, to monitor patterns, outcomes, emerging risks and opportunities for prevention. It identifies learning, supports staff and managers, highlights repeat behaviours, and ensures that reporting processes are accessible, trusted, and effective.

Through strong links with internal networks and external partners, the group strengthens shared learning and promotes a coordinated response to hate incidents across our communities. The Trust is committed to learning from the lived experience of colleagues, patients and communities to strengthen prevention, improve responses and build trust.

The insights and actions from the group are reported through our governance structures, including the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee and the People and Culture Committee, ensuring accountability at the highest levels. Executive and non-executive directors play a visible role in reinforcing this message, modelling expectations, and embedding a culture of psychological safety across the organisation.

This commitment will be consistently embedded from the outset of employment. All inductions will clearly communicate our expectations, reporting processes, and zero-tolerance ambition, ensuring that every member of staff understands their role in creating and sustaining an inclusive, respectful workplace.

Together, we are building a culture where everyone feels safe, empowered to speak up, and confident that their voice will be heard, respected and acted upon.

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.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2026-27

Modern Slavery

Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour.  In accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving its practices to combat modern slavery and fully supports the Government's objectives to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking.

The Trust has a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all its business dealings.  

Additionally, ensuring the implementation of effective systems and controls are in place to safeguard against modern slavery occurring within the Trust or within our supply chain.  The Trust expects all suppliers it uses to follow the same ethical principles.

Tackling modern slavery requires a partnership approach and collaboration with a range of agencies.  It is therefore imperative to have a combined approach as no single agency or individual can eliminate modern slavery in isolation.

Preventing slavery and human trafficking

Our position on modern slavery is to:

  • Develop an awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery across our workforce so a commitment to ensuring all staff are aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and their safeguarding duty to protect and prevent any further harm and abuse when it is identified, or it is suspected that any individual may be or is at risk of modern slavery/human trafficking.
  • Comply with legislation and regulatory requirements.
  • Take all steps possible to ensure there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business, and, as far as possible, ensure our suppliers and service providers have the same ethical approach to assist in promoting legislative requirements.
  • The Trust will use its rights to exclude suppliers from selection procedures subject to regulations where it has knowledge that an applicant has committed an offence under section 2 or 4 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 among other offences.

We have the following policies which support our drive and obligations to tackling modern slavery, including (but not limited to):

  • Adult Safeguarding Policy
  • Safeguarding Children Policy
  • Safeguarding Supervision Policy
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) Policy
  • Procurement Policy
  • Fit and Proper Persons Policy
  • Gifts, Hospitality, Sponsorship and Declaration of Interests Policy
  • Recruitment and Onboarding Policy
  • Freedom to Speak Up - Raising Concerns Policy
  • Equity Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • Sexual Safety Policy
  • Right to Work in the UK Policy

Risk Assessment and Management

The Trust will review procurement and recruitment policies and procedures as a result of any further legislative changes instigated in response to tackling modern slavery.  

The Trust will have the measures identified within this statement to alleviate the risk of modern slavery within our organisation and supply chain.

Training and Promotion

Mandatory safeguarding training which includes modern slavery awareness.

The Trust has a Safeguarding Training Strategy which ensures that all staff who come into contact with adults, children and young people have a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare.  To achieve this the Trust ensures that all health staff have access to appropriate safeguarding training, learning opportunities, safeguarding supervision and support to facilitate their understanding of the clinical aspects of patient's wellbeing and information sharing.

Recruitment

We work in accordance with policies in place to recruit individuals and ensure it has a flexible workforce.  The Trust has a 'Right to Work in the United Kingdom (UK) Policy' which contains a flowchart on the process required to be followed to ensure new employees and workers identities are confirmed, and they have a right to work in the UK.

The recruitment services team establishes the successful applicant's right to work status by arranging to meet with them to obtain and appropriately verify all relevant identity and right to work documents.  For any employee or worker with a work permit or visa, the Trust carries out regular audits and management of these documents to ensure they remain valid.

The Trust only uses agencies which have been approved as part of the national framework agreement for assuring the standard of such agencies.  Exceptionally, where this may not be possible the Associate Director of Workforce must agree which agency should be sourced and will ensure there is a written commitment from the agency used to confirm they comply with the immigration legislation and NHS Employment Checks Standards in respect of 'Right to Work' checks.

Due Diligence - Suppliers/tenders

The procurement team ensure that all staff involved with procurement strive to achieve best value and comply with the Trust's Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, procurement legislation, Code of Conduct for NHS Managers, Standards of Business Conduct, the Bribery Act and are guided by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics references the following: 'commit to eradicating unethical business practices including bribery, fraud, corruption and human rights abuses, such as modern slavery and child labour'.

The NHS purchase order terms and conditions for the procurement of goods and services has been strengthened and now contains information at Section 19.2 relating to requirements that must be adhered to in relation to Modern Slavery https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-terms-and-conditions-for-the-procurement-of-non-clinical-goods-and-services/#heading-6. As a result, all purchase orders issued by the Trust are accompanied by these standard NHS terms and conditions which state:

1.12 it shall: (i) comply with all relevant Law and Guidance and shall use Good Industry Practice to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains; and (ii) notify the Authority immediately if it becomes aware of any actual or suspected incidents of slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains.

1.13 it shall: at all times conduct its business in a manner that is consistent with any anti-slavery policy of the Authority and shall provide to the Authority any reports or other information that the Authority may request as evidence of the supplier's compliance with this Clause 10.1.12 and/or as may be requested or otherwise required by the Authority in accordance with its anti-slavery Policy.

Any supplier who is found to be carrying out such practices will be on the national supplier department list.  The Trust checks this list as part of the Procurement Act 2023 legislation each time it undertakes an above threshold tender.

Performance Indicators

The Trust can establish the effectiveness of training and promotion of modern slavery by reviewing the number of safeguarding referrals it receives.  This information is presented to a joint Quality Assurance Committee through a quarterly assurance report as well as through an Annual Report where the category associated with referrals is stipulated.

Additionally, the Trust will be able to ascertain whether the steps it is taking to ensure that slavery and or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if no reports are received from staff, the public or law enforcement agencies indicating the modern slavery practices have been identified.

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.

2026 safe staffing data

2025 safe staffing data

2024 safe staffing data

2023 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)

Working in partnership with our trade union colleagues provides a clear framework for consultation, negotiation, and decision-making on matters which affect our staff and ensures their views are represented.

Trade union representatives hold either full- or part-time posts and their work is undertaken in addition to their substantive role in the Trust.

Trade union declaration
Description Number
Number of employees who were union officials 8
Full time equivalent number 1.25
0% of time spent on facility time 0
1% to 50% of time spent on facility time 7
51% to 99% of time spent on facility time 0
100% of time spent on facility time 1
Total cost of facility time (£) 55,602
Total pay bill (£) 212,438,000
Percentage of pay bill spent on facility time 0.03%
Paid trade union activities 100%

Correct as of 1 October 2025. This information is also published in our annual report.