The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Code of Practice for Wound Care Company Representatives and Staff with whom they interact Version No.: 1.1 Effective From: 8 th January 2015 Expiry Date: 8 th January 2018 Date Ratified: 5 th January 2015 Ratified By: 1 Introduction Wound Formulary Review Group This policy establishes the activities of wound care company representatives within the operational and managerial framework of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust including both primary and secondary care settings. This policy supports the Trust s values by ensuring the safest and highest quality healthcare is provided for patients in our care and by facilitating continuous improvement in the most cost-effective way in the provision of wound care (products). 2 Scope This policy applies to all wound care company representatives or those supplying products to prevent wounds e.g. pressure redistributing equipment who are visiting the Trust and any Trust staff members with whom they interact. 3 Aims This policy describes the code to which the representatives must work, the role of the Tissue Viability Team and the role of the Wound Formulary Review Group. 4 Definitions Wound Care is defined in this policy as products used in the management of wounds, wound diagnostics or in the prevention of pressure ulcers 5 The Code This Code of Practice is based on the Code of Practice for Pharmaceutical Representatives but is simplified to reflect the pertinent areas which are applicable to wound care. Promotional activities for products must be consistent with policies agreed by the Trust Drug and Therapeutic Panel as set out in the North of Tyne Formulary. Page 1 of 4
5.1 Company representatives should conduct themselves in a professional manner, appropriate to the provision of information on and selling of wound care products in accordance to their own regulatory code http://www.sdma.org.uk 5.2 All company representatives visiting the Trust for the first time must report to either the Tissue Viability Team or Supplies Department via an arranged appointment. A copy of this Code of Practice will be supplied and any further relevant information about relevant Trust policies and procedures. 5.3 Company representatives should wear an identification badge which should display the individual s name, photographic identification and the company s name/logo. In secondary care- representatives will need to collect a Visitor badge from the main receptions prior to visiting any wards. In primary care, the company identification badge will suffice. 5.4 Company representatives must not enter wards and other Trust premises without prior invitation of a senior member of medical/nursing staff. Any proposed activities must be discussed with the Tissue Viability Team first. 5.5 Company representatives entering clinical areas must comply with Trust policies and procedures, particularly those relating to infection control and patient confidentiality 5.6 Company representatives must send regular updates of activities via e-mail to the Tissue Viability Team in order to keep a record of such within the Organisation. 5.7 Product samples must not be left with medical, nursing or allied professionals unless their use has been specifically approved by the Tissue Viability Team or Wound Formulary Review Group. 5.8 All activities including the provision of hospitality and gifts must conform to the professional code of conduct as outlined at http://www.sdma.org.uk. Gifts or donations must not be offered or given as an inducement to prescribe, supply, administer or buy a product. 5.9 The Wound Formulary Review Group may request an evaluation of a new product. In this case, products must be purchased by each Directorate. Tissue Viability will organise a supply via a) Pharmacy if they contain active ingredients b) Supply Chain if they are not Pharmacy products In community, these products will be prescribed via FP10 by the Tissue Viability Team. Page 2 of 4
5.10 Any samples of consumable products provided for evaluation purposes must meet all appropriate international, national or NHS standards (e.g. CE marking) and be provided with full user instructions and training as necessary. 5.11 Representatives not complying with this policy may be barred from Trust sites. 5.12 The promotion of Non-Formulary wound care products is not allowed. 6 Duties (Roles and responsibilities) 6.1 Role of the Wound Formulary Review Group The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Wound Formulary Review Group exists to promote safe and cost-effective use of wound care products within the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (acute and community settings). This group is established to ensure wound care products for inclusion in the Wound Formulary are evidence-based and adequate for clinical use. Disseminate best practice: it is the responsibility of each member to communicate changes and/or decisions to their directorates. Monitor the development of appropriate evidence based assessment criteria for the selection of wound care products 6.2 Role of the Tissue Viability Service The Tissue Viability Team is central to the development of the Wound Formulary and works in conjunction with the Wound Formulary Review Group. 5.2.1 Representatives will be seen by advance appointment only 5.2.2 Tissue Viability and associated wound care specialists may wish to see representatives for information on new products, new indications for existing products or for discussion of major commercial consideration including training opportunities for staff across the Trust (acute and community settings). 7 Training Staff engaged with the structure outlined in this policy should be familiar with its contents. 8 Equality and Diversity The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the way we provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. This document has been appropriately assessed. Page 3 of 4
9 Monitoring compliance Standard / process / issue The policy will be monitored by the Wound Formulary Review Group Monitoring and audit Method By Committee Frequency Areas of noncompliance will be managed by this group Wound Formulary Review Group Annually 10 Consultation and review This policy was developed in conjunction with the Wound Formulary Review Group. It will be reviewed in three years or earlier if there is an identified need to do so. 11 Implementation (including raising awareness) This policy has been circulated to Tissue Viability Team members and associated Wound Care Specialists, Tissue Viability Link Nurses, members of the Wound Formulary Review Group and members of Medicines Management Team/practice pharmacists. It will be distributed to all companies currently represented on the Wound Formulary and any new representatives that meet with the Tissue Viability Team. 12 References Nil 13 Associated documentation Nil Page 4 of 4
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Equality Analysis Form A This form must be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the appropriate committee for consideration and approval. PART 1 1. Assessment Date: 06/01/2015 2. Name of policy / strategy / service: Code of Practice for Wound Care Company Representatives and Staff with whom they interact 3. Name and designation of Author: Helen Stevens Nurse Specialist (Tissue Viability) 4. Names & designations of those involved in the impact analysis screening process: Fania Pagnamenta (Nurse Consultant Tissue Viability), Frances Blackburn(Head of Nursing Freeman), Matthew Lowery (Senior Clinical Pharmacist) 5. Is this a: Policy X Strategy Service Is this: New Revised X Who is affected Employees X Service Users Wider Community 6. What are the main aims, objectives of the policy, strategy, or service and the intended outcomes? (These can be cut and pasted from your policy) This policy establishes the activities of wound care company representatives within the operational and managerial framework of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust including both primary and secondary care settings. This policy supports the Trust s values by ensuring the safest and highest quality healthcare is provided for patients in our care and by facilitating continuous improvement in the most cost-effective way in the provision of wound care (products). 7. Does this policy, strategy, or service have any equality implications? Yes No X If No, state reasons and the information used to make this decision, please refer to paragraph 2.3 of the Equality Analysis Guidance before providing reasons: It is directed at organisation procedures with no direct impact on service users
8. Summary of evidence related to protected characteristics Protected Characteristic Race / Ethnic origin (including gypsies and travellers) Sex (male/ female) Religion and Belief Sexual orientation including lesbian, gay and bisexual people Age Disability learning difficulties, physical disability, sensory impairment and mental health. Consider the needs of carers in this section Gender Re-assignment Marriage and Civil Partnership Maternity / Pregnancy Evidence, i.e. What evidence do you have that the Trust is meeting the needs of people in various protected Groups Does evidence/engagement highlight areas of direct or indirect discrimination? If yes describe steps to be taken to address (by whom, completion date and review date) Does the evidence highlight any areas to advance opportunities or foster good relations. If yes what steps will be taken? (by whom, completion date and review date) 9. Are there any gaps in the evidence outlined above? If yes how will these be rectified? N/A 10. Engagement has taken place with people who have protected characteristics and will continue through the Equality Delivery System and the Equality Diversity and Human Rights Group. Please note you may require further engagement in respect of any significant changes to policies, new developments and or changes to service delivery. In such circumstances please contact the Equality and Diversity Lead or the Involvement and Equalities Officer. Do you require further engagement? Yes No 11. Could the policy, strategy or service have a negative impact on human rights? (E.g. the right to respect for private and family life, the right to a fair hearing and the right to education? No
PART 2 Name: Helen Stevens Date of completion: 06.01.15 (If any reader of this procedural document identifies a potential discriminatory impact that has not been identified, please refer to the Policy Author identified above, together with any suggestions for action required to avoid/reduce the impact.)