Finance

What are the Standing Financial Instructions?

The Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) detail the financial responsibilities, policies and procedures that the Trust has in place.  They are designed to ensure that the Trust’s financial transactions are carried out in accordance with the law and Government policy. They must be used in conjunction with the Scheme of Delegation (SOD) that the Trust has in place.

Standing Financial Instructions

What is the Scheme of Delegation?

The Scheme of Delegation is how the Board of Directors exercise financial supervision and control of the Trust by delegating specific responsibilities for the performance of its functions to members of the Board of Directors and employees. The aim of this document is assist staff in identifying their delegated responsibilities. In summary it is a list of the financial transaction directors and employees can approve on behalf of the Trust.

Scheme of Delegation

How the SFIs and SoD are used.

Collectively the Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation and Trust policies and procedures cover all aspects of (financial) management and control and set out the business rules which directors and employees (including employees of third parties contracted to the Trust) must follow when taking action on behalf of the Board.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SFIs and SOs IS A DISCIPLINARY MATTER WHICH COULD RESULT IN DISMISSAL

The scheme of delegation confirms the specific approvals which are assigned to roles within the Trust. This requires a supporting schedule confirming the individuals within the these roles and the areas which they are responsible for within the Trust structure.

There is a requirement on operational and corporate areas to confirm who is responsible for each area with an associated responsibility on Finance Department and other corporate areas to ensure these control documents and core systems are aligned to these requirements.

Making Changes to the SoD

A change control process has been developed for ensuring the SoD is kept up to date. When staff leave the Trust they will be removed from the schedule and any approval they had in supporting systems will be withdrawn. When new staff come into post, or if staff responsibilities change, we require a scheme of delegation amendment form to be completed.

Completion of this simple form will ensure that any change is actioned efficiently and changes are made in all systems.

Requirement to Keep SoD up to Date

In should be noted staff in Finance, Procurement and Human Resources act upon the contents of the schedules of authorised signatories as such if these are not robust and accurate it could result in a delay in getting orders raised, invoices paid or getting staff paid accurately. Your assistance in supporting this process is really appreciated.

The scheme of delegation amendment form is shown below. This should be completed and returned to the Finance Department using the following email stsft.oraclesystemmaintenance@nhs.net

Scheme of delegation amendment form

Entitlement to NHS healthcare is based on residency; it’s not dependent on nationality, having an NHS number, or GP. We need to establish if a patient is resident in the UK to assess a patient’s Eligibility to NHS Funded Healthcare. Anyone of any nationality who is not ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK at the time of treatment is an ‘Overseas Visitor’. This means that they may be charged for the treatment they receive at our Trust. NHS hospitals have a legal obligation to establish whether a person is an overseas visitor, and whether charges apply or they have an exemption. Exemptions do apply for the most protected services and those who are vulnerable.

STSFT has an Overseas Visitors Manager (OVM). If you have a patient who is in your care who has indicated they are not currently residing in the UK please ensure the patient completes the attached form and please send via secure email to stsft.chsft.overseas@nhs.net you can also contact Deborah Byers on ext. 47953 for any further advice or information.