Modern Slavery Statement

The NHS has an important role to play in combatting modern slavery and supporting victims. But to do this we need to ensure that our staff and volunteers understand that modern slavery exists, and that they are confident and able to both recognise the signs and indicators of both victim and perpetrators and know what to do.

From 1 November 2015, specified public authorities have a duty to notify the Secretary of State of any individual identified in England and Wales as a suspected victim of slavery or human trafficking, under Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

 https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/ 

What is Modern Slavery?
Slavery is a violation of a person’s human rights. It can take the form of human trafficking, forced labour, and bonded labour, forced or servile marriage, descent-based slavery and domestic slavery.
A person is considered to be in modern slavery if they are;

• Forced to work through mental or physical threat
• Owned or controlled by an “employer”, usually through mental or physical abuse
• De-humanised, treated as a commodity or sold or bought as “property”
• Physically constrained or has restrictions placed in their freedom of movement

Our organisation
Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) is a foundation trust with a Board of Directors and Council of Governors, we are accountable to local people through our public membership. We are a leading specialist centre for reconstruction and sleep. We also provide essential healthcare services for local people.

Internationally recognised for pioneering innovative treatments and techniques, we have a strong track record of excellence and successful patient outcomes. Consistently ranked among the country’s top hospitals for quality of care, QVH is known for its outstanding patient satisfaction ratings.

We have a history of collaboration and provide services across a number of ‘spoke sites’ through our QVH@ model, as well as being a key provider in cancer pathways across the health system.

We are committed to providing a range of services and operating as an anchor institution, proactively supporting our community’s well-being and tackling health inequalities. Our vision is to be a centre of excellence that rebuilds lives and supports communities for a healthier future.

Our commitment to Prevent Slavery and Human Trafficking
The Trust Board, all employees and volunteers, are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business activity and in so far as is possible to holding our suppliers to account to do likewise.

Our approach
Our overall approach will be governed by compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and the maintenance and development of best practice in the fields of contracting and employment and we will:

• Work with local Integrated Care Systems when reviewing the commissioning cycle for opportunities to ensure a robust approach.
• Review our approach and publish an annual statement outlining the steps we are taking to tackle modern slavery.
• Continue to ensure that our recruitment processes are mature, requiring practices that adhere to safe recruitment principles. This includes strict requirements in respect of identity checks, work permits and criminal records. These practices will extend to any employment agencies used by the Trust.
• Our pay structure is derived from national collective agreements and is based on equal pay principles with rates of pay that are nationally determined. The Finance and Performance Committee will hold the organisation to account in adhering to these standards and practices.
• Ensure we are checking, as part of our procurement processes, that organisations are taking relevant steps to adhere to the standards including continuously reviewing the countries that our goods are sourced from and ensuring we are aware of high risk countries where modern slavery is prevalent. We will ensure that our suppliers adhere to the minimum labour standards set out in relevant international labour and human rights laws
• Make declarations and contractual provisions with existing healthcare commissioners to ensure they understand the Trust’s approach to the Act.
• In the case of children and young people at risk, adherence to the local authority Safeguarding Children Partnership multi-agency policies and procedures.
• In the case of adults at risk, adherence to the local authority Safeguarding Board multi agency policies and procedures
• All staff can access support in this regard by contacting the Named Safeguarding professionals.
• The Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy, which applies to all employees, consultants, contractors and agency staff who work for the Trust is accessible via the Trust’s intranet site. Alternatively concerns can be raised with the Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
• The Trust’s guidance for supporting and safeguarding victims of modern slavery, exploitation and human trafficking is available to all staff.

We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/ or human trafficking is not taking place within our business supply chain if no reports are received from our staff, public or law enforcement agencies that indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending March 2025.

Approved by the Trust Board on 8 May 2025

Jackie Smith, Trust Chair & Abigail Jago, Acting Chief Executive Officer