Policy News - 29 October 2019

The following policies have recently been ratified by the Trust’s Policy Committee.   Please take the time to review those which may be relevant to your role.  

Organisational Change and Pay Protection Policy

The Organisational Change and Pay Protection Policy sets out the principles that underpin the framework for:

• managing any structural or managerial change in the Trust or service provision where there is an impact on the workforce;
• supporting and assisting employees effected by organisational change and
• long term and short term pay protection arrangements.

The policy also ensures that the Trust complies with the relevant employment legislation and good employment practice.

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Dress Code (Including Uniform) Policy

Outward appearance and dress create an immediate impression on patients and members of the public.  All staff working within South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust are expected to maintain a smart and professional image that enhances the reputation of the Trust and complies with patient and public expectation.   The purpose of this policy is to set out to managers and employees the standards of dress and personal appearance expected of all staff employed by the Trust including locums/agency/bank staff, those on student placements (including work experience), honorary contracts, or secondment from other organisations and volunteers whether in uniform or not.  It does not cover details of uniform provision, style and allocation as this will be detailed in a separate, but supporting uniform procedure.  As both former Trusts had not reviewed their Dress Code policy for a number of years, this policy will be reviewed in 18 months’ time in order to refine it based on feedback received. 

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Medicines Management Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure a co-ordinated and uniform approach to the management of medicines. This includes the processes for obtaining and prescribing medicines, their storage and distribution, their administration, their disposal, and required recording to ensure safe, secure and effective use of medicines in line with the statutory requirements of the Medicines Act 1968, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and subsequent modifications and regulations.

This policy applies to all acute hospital and community services provided by the Trust and applies to all members of staff including locums, agency staff and staff on honorary contracts working within STSFT who are involved in any aspect of handling medicines.

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Infection Prevention and Control Policy

The updated Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) Policy is now available to staff.  It provides a framework of good practice that empowers staff to deliver safe practice in IP&C in our newly merged Trust and takes the best from both previous policies prior to merger.

Staff are required to familiarise themselves with the policy and ensure they apply it in their daily practice.

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