Declaring Conflicts of Interest
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 following the 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.