Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Staff Charter
Staff Charter Introduction Staff Charter What does it mean to you? The Staff Charter explains our rights and responsibilities as employees and the Trust s pledges and commitments to us. It has strong links to the NHS Constitution and our Trust Mission and Values. It sets out: l Our Expectations from our Trust The Trust s commitment to ensuring our work life is Happy, Healthy and Safe so we can provide high quality care for our patients. l Our Trust s Expectation of Us What is expected of employees to ensure the highest standards of patient care. Our Staff Charter has been produced by our Staff Members of Council and representatives from the Human Resources team in consultation with all our staff. It retains and acknowledges the valuable work initiated in the first edition of the Staff Charter, not least the notion that the Charter should revolve around respect, consideration and support for everyone and that happy staff are more likely to provide patients with the care they deserve the best possible care. Thank you for taking time to read and act on our Staff Charter. May 2011 2
Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Respect and dignity We will recognise and value the diversity or our workforce and treat everyone with respect and dignity. Value the contributions of my colleagues and thank them for jobs well done. Treat staff and patients with sensitivity and understanding. Appropriately reward and recognise the contributions of staff and volunteers. Ensure staff and patients are treated with sensitivity and understanding. Be honest, open and trustworthy in my dealings with patients and colleagues. Engender a culture of honesty and openness and ensure managers are approachable and visible. Respect and maintain colleagues and patients needs for privacy and confidentiality. Ensure confidentiality and privacy for staff, patients and visitors is respected and maintained. 3
Staff Charter Commitment to quality of care We will insist on delivering consistently excellent care by welcoming feedback, learning from mistakes and building on successes. Provide consistently excellent care based on the best evidence. Adhere to recommendations made by experts and external organisations with respect to patient care. Raise any concerns relating to patient care and advocate for patients and relatives at all times. Provide timely feedback and information to all patients and carers. Manage resources effectively and for the benefit of patients. Provide appropriate resources and structures to support evidence based care. Invite and implement recommendations made by experts and external organisations. Ensure that all members of staff are able to raise their views or concerns knowing that these will be taken seriously and acted upon. Ensure that all incidents, compliments and complaints are responded to in a timely manner and that feedback is provided to staff and service users. Ensure there are adequate resources for the delivery of excellent patient care. 4
Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Rewarding jobs that make a difference We will encourage each other to understand how our roles support consistently excellent patient care Understand and value the roles and responsibilities of other staff and volunteers. Act with commitment and dedication at all times. Take advantage of the opportunities available to achieve a good work-life balance. Ensure staff have rewarding and worthwhile jobs with the freedom and confidence to act in the interests of patients. Reward and recognise the commitment and dedication of staff and volunteers. Provide appropriate policies and structures to help staff balance work and home commitments. Engaging staff in decisions We will work in a way which encourages everyone to become engaged and involved in decisions which affect us at work Contribute to discussions and in finding solutions to problems. Engage with colleagues, partners and representative bodies to secure the best outcomes for patients and staff. Provide an infrastructure which enables all staff to be involved in finding solutions to issues which affect them at work. Ensure local partnership working arrangements involve staff, representative bodies and partner organisations in a meaningful and timely way. 5
Staff Charter Compassion We will search for the things we can do, however small, to give comfort and relieve suffering, because we care. Respond with humanity and kindness to each person s need. Working together for patients Encourage an ethos in which staff are able to act with kindness and compassion. Work together with staff, patients, carers, partners and the local community to ensure that Tameside becomes the Hospital of Choice for the people of Tameside. Do my best to contribute to the effective delivery of our Trust s goals. Explain our goals clearly so everyone knows how they can contribute. Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, managers and other organisations to ensure holistic, safe and seamless patient care. Contribute to and encourage effective team working. Ensure communication with staff, patients, families and other organisations is effective and 2-way. Provide a culture and environment which supports effective team working. 6
Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Staff health, wellbeing and safety We will ensure our workplace is safe and that risks are minimised. Be familiar with all risks linked to my workplace and understand how to keep them to a minimum by questioning unsafe practices. Ensure risks are always mitigated and that staff are aware of the risks linked to their area of work and how to deal with them correctly. Challenge and report unacceptable behaviour. Work in a way which protects the health and safety of myself and others. Promote a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment. Ensure the workplace is safe and complies with all relevant health and safety standards. Take advantage of the support available to me. Provide appropriate access to confidential counselling and advice. 7
Staff Charter Learning, improvement and support We will support learning, innovation and new ways of working for the overall benefit of patients. Learn from mistakes and build on successes. Attend inductions and all mandatory training and take up relevant learning opportunities Play an active role in my personal development review and respond appropriately to feedback. Stay focused and motivated Engender a culture which encourages learning from mistakes rather than attributing blame. Provide induction to all new staff alongside regular learning opportunities. Provide a climate which supports the giving of meaningful and regular feedback on performance and value all staff personal development reviews. Provide managers with the tools and training to motivate and support their staff. 8