Staff Handbook

Appraisal is mandatory! This is your opportunity with your line manager to reflect on performance, receive feedback and plan objectives and development for the coming year. It is your responsibility to arrange your annual appraisal directly with your line manager.

The professional image presented by staff plays an important part in how we are perceived by colleagues, patients and the public. Uniforms make a professional recognisable which in turn promotes trust and confidence. A professional image is one that is smart and simplified.

The Trust recognises the right for staff to adhere to religious and cultural observances. However, consideration should be given to infection control, the operation of machinery, the identification of staff and clear communication with patients.

There is a Dress Code and Uniform Policy available on TrustNet which offers guidance for staff.

Did you know that you are only a phone call away from independent advice, information and support that is completely free and confidential? The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available to you and your immediate family at any time, day or night, on any day of the year. By calling the EAP free phone number you can access the full range of services available including:

• General information and Citizens Advice services (anything from consumer issues to education or residency advice)
• Financial and legal advice
• Counselling, both on the telephone and face to face

They can be contacted on 0800 282 193, via Minicom 0800 854739 or via their web address – www.ppconline.info

The Employee Partnership Forum brings together staff representatives and managers to meet, share information and work together on important issues that are affecting our organisation. For an up-to -date list of trade union representatives, please refer to TrustNet.

You should be familiar with all of our employment policies, which are available on TrustNet – from the homepage Policies on the bar below the Trust logo. They cover a range of things such as appraisal, sickness absence, work performance and conduct, work life balance and whistle blowing.

• Read our Employment Policies

People work best when they can be themselves! We want to make Ashford & St. Peter’s a fair, equal and diverse place to work and to receive care and treatment. This is what our equality & diversity work is all about, and essentially, it’s about treating others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. For more information, click ‘Departments’ and ‘Diversity’ on TrustNet.

The FFT provides a simple measure, which can be used to drive continuous improvement in the quality of the care received by NHS patients.

The FFT question asks patients how likely they are to recommend the ward / A&E department they are discharged from to friends and family if they need similar care. We offer all of our patients the opportunity to respond to this question. The score from those responses is reported and bench-marked nationally and this allows the public to compare healthcare services and identify the best performers in patient experience. You can support the Trust to be one of the best by signposting patients to this important feedback opportunity.

For more information contact the Head of Patient Engagement and Experience.

NHS England will be extending the FFT to include a quarterly question to staff asking to what extent they would recommend a particular service to their friends or family. Further information will be available on this later in the year.

The Trust's library service supports clinical and non-clinical staff in CPD, research and audits. The libraries on both sites provide an extensive collection of books, journals and an excellent literature searching service. Training is provided throughout the year on searching evidence based resources. The KnowledgeNet website is valued by staff, enabling remote access to library services and resources.

• www.knowledgenet.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk

What is ‘Mandatory Training’?

Mandatory training covers particular areas of knowledge and skill that are essential for staff to deliver safe, effective care and reduce risk of harm to patients and colleagues.

Who decides what training is ‘mandatory’?

Mandatory Training is an obligation for the Trust to meet the requirements of the National Health Litigation Scheme Assurance (NHSLA) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and other statutory bodies. Most importantly it gives assurance that we are delivering safe, effective care. There are core elements of mandatory training that all of us have to complete and there will also be elements that are specific to your role or department; these should be identified at local orientation and appraisal.

Whose responsibility is it to ensure staff have completed their mandatory training?

You must take personal responsibility for ensuring that you are up to date with your mandatory training. It is your responsibility to seek approval from your manager who should then book your training either via ESR self-service or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. On completion of the course the ESR system will be updated by Workforce Intelligence. If you are booked onto a course, then your manager should also do their best to support you to attend. Your manager has a responsibility to ensure you have undertaken your mandatory training and will review this with you at your annual appraisal.

Which Training do I need?

There are core aspects of mandatory training that all staff require. There may also be training that is required for clinical staff only, and other training specifically for administration and clerical staff. You may also have some training that is relevant to your department, which your line manager will identify with you. The checklist at the back of this diary acts as a guide and a more detailed Mandatory Training Matrix can be found on TrustNet. You can check the requirements against your job role.

How will I know which training I have completed?

All mandatory training is recorded in the Oracle Learner Management (OLM) system; this is linked to the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) which you and your manager can check when your training is due. Use the checklist at the back of this diary as a personal record of your most recent training dates.

What happens if I don’t attend?

There are clear reasons why it is important to attend mandatory training. Failure to attend will result in action being taken.

How do I know when my training is due and book on training?

ESR will send alerts to you and your manager when training is due and you can book on courses through ESR; this system will allow you to book places if there is a space, you can book places up to 6 months in advance.

Details of training days can be found on the training pages of TrustNet, some training can also be undertaken online.

Based in Chertsey House on the St. Peter’s site, our multi-disciplinary Occupational Health team provides a range of services to support your health at work, and specifically by:

• Addressing the impact of work on health and of health on work;
• Reducing the incident of illness and injury caused by work;
• Assisting in ensuring that all staff are able to achieve their full capabilities; and
• Contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the Trust by carrying out health assessments, providing confidential advice on issues such as rehabilitation and redeployment of staff who cannot carry out their full range of duties.

The following services are available:

• Initial work health assessments
• Risk / Environmental Assessments
• Immunisation programmes
• Rehabilitation after sickness or injury
• Health Promotion
• Health surveillance
• Management of needle-stick, sharps, human bites and contamination accidents (Inoculation Injury) policy
• Medical ill health retirement assessment

Staff members wishing to have a physiotherapy assessment are required to fill out a self-referral form which can be found on TrustNet or at the Occupational Health reception at St Peter’s Hospital. This then needs to be handed in or emailed to Occupational Health with a correct daytime telephone number / email address and you will be contacted with our earliest convenient appointment. Clinics are held at both hospital sites; please check TrustNet for up-to-date details. Furthermore, there is a ’Drop-in’ Clinic on a Tuesday morning for quick advice and guidance.

The payroll and employee services team provides a comprehensive service to staff and managers and is available for queries and pay-related advice. Please use the Change in Personal details form on the HR pages of TrustNet to keep your HR & Payroll record up to date with any changes to important information.

NHS employees, whether full-time, part-time or bank, are eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme. Membership is voluntary. However, you will be automatically enrolled into the scheme and will need to opt out of the scheme if you do not wish to contribute. Pension benefits are guaranteed and are based on your pay and the length of service in the scheme (two years minimum). Contributions are a fixed percentage of pay, dependent on pay rate, and attract tax relief. Included within the benefits of the scheme is the provision for ill-health retirement, life assurance cover, dependants’ and redundancy benefits.

The Trust is developing a benefits service offering a Salary Sacrifice scheme for staff under the MySave Employee Benefits Scheme. Salary sacrifice staff the opportunity to enjoy benefits, whilst making savings by paying less tax, National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and where appropriate, less NHS Pension contributions. Refer to TrustNet for further information.

As a Foundation Trust, Ashford and St. Peter’s is a membership organisation – the membership elects individuals to sit on our Council of Governors which provides the Board with the views of patients, carers, members of public, staff and other stakeholders to inform their planning and decision-making. In addition, they perform statutory duties such as approving the appointment of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors, and approving the annual accounts.

Five Staff Governors represent you on our Council of Governors and they are:

• Mohamed Iman: Medical and Dental
• Tracey Bradshaw: Nursing and Midwifery
• Aidan Parsons: Ancillary, Administration and Clerical Manager
• Kate Colban: Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists and Healthcare Assistants
• Andy Brown: Trust Volunteers

		Mohamed Imam Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Staff Governor: Medical and Dental 1st Dec 2021 to 30th Nov 2024				Tracey Bradshaw Heart Failure Specialist Nurse Staff Governor: Nursing and Midwifery 1st Dec 2022 to 30th Nov 2025
		Aidan Parsons Assistant Service Manager Endoscopy Staff Governor: Ancilliary / Admin Clerical / Managerial 1st Dec 2021 to 30th Nov 2024				Kate Colban AHP Workforce Planning Lead Staff Governor: Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, and Health Care Assistants 1st Dec 2022 to 30th Nov 2025
		Andy Brown Trust Volunteer Staff Governor: Hospital Volunteers 1st Dec 2021 to 30th Nov 2024

The Staff Governors bring something unique to the Council - their experience and personal insights enable them to really add to the debate. The Staff Governors’ knowledge of the Trust and our staff mean that the other Governors respect their contribution and advice.

Staff Governors have a different role from Trade Unions and professional bodies, and therefore do not represent individuals or negotiate on policies or pay. However, they are always interested in receiving feedback and they can be contacted via the Trust email system or we can forward correspondence via the Membership Office at St Peter’s. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01932 722063)