Every
year the taxpayer entrusts NHS organisations with funding to care for millions
of people which must be spent well, and free from undue influence. To deliver
high quality and innovation care organisations need to work collaboratively
with each other, local authorities, industry and other public, private and
voluntary bodies. Partnership working brings many benefits, but also creates
the risk of conflicts of interest.
It is especially important for care
organisations to demonstrate transparency for staff who are budget holders or who
can influence purchasing decisions.
At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust, we have defined ‘decision making staff’ as those on Agenda for Change
(AfC) Band 7 and above and all Consultant staff. These staff are likely to be
budget holders and /or those with purchasing influence within the Trust.
It’s fundamental that staff at the Trust are transparent and adhere to both our
local policy and guidance set out by NHS England and declare any appropriate
conflicts of interest against the clearly defined rules. Our ‘decision making
staff’ are required to make either positive or nil declarations, aligned to
each financial year. All other staff grades of staff are required to make
positive declarations on receipt of any gift, hospitality or sponsorship or any
known interest that may be a conflict to them and the Trust.
The information displayed is a live record of the Trusts declaration
registers. The data fields will be closed each year at 7 July – following
end of Quarter 1 appraisal season. Direct questions relating to
declarations required by staff are included in the Trust appraisal form and the
consultant on line system.