Policy News - 30 June 2021

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.  

Study and Professional Leave Policy

The policy provides the framework governing study and professional leave for all Trust staff (except doctors in training).

The policy has been updated and the main changes reflect the different funding system introduced by Health Education England, and the ongoing work to make study leave processes more consistent amongst staff. The current processes for study leave approval are contained within an appendix to the policy.

Queries about the policy should be directed to the CPD Team (stsft.cpd@nhs.net)

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Honorary Contract Policy

The purpose of this policy is to protect patient safety, by ensuring that those persons issued with an honorary contract are fit and proper.

The policy outlines:

• circumstances when an honorary contract may be issued by the Trust to an individual;
• circumstances when an honorary contract would not be issued e.g. volunteer placement;
• the process for applying for an honorary contract; and
• checks which must be completed before an honorary contract can be issued.

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Work Experience and Future Workforce Engagement Policy

This policy sets out the programmes used to support the Trust in developing its potential future workforce, building awareness of careers in a healthcare environment using a variety of initiatives.

This policy applies to individuals who are not employed by the Trust but are seeking to gain an insight into working within the NHS, either by shadowing relevant staff, engaging in virtual discussions or participating in structured programmes or activities arranged via the Trust’s Workforce Development team.

The policy applies to all future workforce development initiatives and includes, but is not limited to, remote and online opportunities to formally connect with Trust or other healthcare employees, linking local school and college students with University or College summer schools and careers events, work experience/ shadowing opportunities/ clinical and non-clinical taster sessions, pre nursing programmes, internships, pre-employment programmes, occupational based projects with strategic partners within the Trust or partners’ premises, including Step into Health and Project Choice.

The policy sets out the priorities for opportunities as well as the process which must be followed. 

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Official/VIP Visits Policy

On occasion the Trust arranges and participates in visits by celebrities and VIPs to services and departments within Trust sites.  Such visits might include members of the Royal family, senior politicians (eg Secretary of State, Ministers, MPs), representatives from national bodies (eg Department of Health) and celebrities (eg from sport and TV).  These visits play a significant role in promoting the services of the Trust. 

This policy outlines the procedures which must be followed when planning and executing an official/VIP visit to Trust services or premises, including ensuring any visitor is accompanied at all times and that a formal record of the visit is held centrally.

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IM&T Security Policy

The purpose of the Information Management & Technology (IM&T) Security Policy is to provide direction to all individuals working for the Trust to ensure that they handle personal information legally, securely, effectively and efficiently so the Trust complies with its legislative responsibilities.  To protect information, IM&T Security is applied through the three cornerstones of Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability:  

• Confidentiality – Information must be secured against unauthorised access. 
• Integrity – Information must be safeguarded against unauthorised modification. 
• Availability – Information must be accessible to authorised users at times when they require it. 

The purpose of this policy is to:  

•  Protect the Trust’s information assets and information systems from all threats, whether internal or external, deliberate or accidental. 
• To ensure the business requirements for the availability of information and information systems will be met. 
• Ensure the preservation of Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of information.