Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KGH) is committed to the care of our patients and make every effort to improve services. To assist these efforts the Trust has numerous policies and procedures covering eventualities from patient care, working practices, partnership working and financial procedures.
Policies are needed to manage and communicate and they assist staff care for patients and themselves. The Trust therefore need a number of policies which include corporate, clinical and non clinical.
The overall process for policy development is laid down in the Trusts “Policy for the Development and Management of Procedural Documents within KGH NHS Trust” (D10). All policies must be mindful and inclusive of legislation regarding race, gender, age, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To ensure high quality, or best practices, new or reviewed documents must undergo a process of development and monitoring. Each policy details the frequency of its review.
Policies and Procedures Relating to the Conduct of Business and the Provision of Services
Corporate Policies
Corporate Policies are guidelines for decision-making and action. They indicate what staff can and cannot do in certain situations and constrain employees within the bounds as stated by the organisation. These guidelines, procedures and protocols, reflect the values of KGH and give direction and instruction in methods and requirements. They allow for independent decision-making, where appropriate.
We have identified the policies needed by the organisation, and a process for the production, ratification and review of these policies. Draft policies are drawn up, often using reference groups for the subject, by an identified individual.
Draft policies are then consulted upon with the relevant stakeholders prior to the Corporate Policy approval process.
Trust formal Corporate Policies are subject to approval by the appropriate committee who will have delegated powers for the approval of these documents.
Standing Financial Procedures
The Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s) detail the financial responsibilities, policies and procedures to be adopted by the Trust and they are designed to ensure that all it’s financial transactions are carried out in accordance with the law and government policy in order to achieve probity, accuracy and economy, efficiency and effectiveness. They should be used in conjunction with the Scheme of Delegations adopted by the Trust.
Standing Orders
The Standing Orders for the Trust Board and Council of Members are contained within our Constitution. The Constitution sets out the Governance Arrangements for the Trust..
Departmental Policies and Procedures
Departments at the Trust may develop individual policies and procedures for implementation. If the topic is already subject to a Trust wide policy, the departmental policy or guidance should not reduce the effectiveness of the overarching Trust Policy.
In addition the Trust will produce codes of practice, memoranda of understanding and similar information as necessary.
Our high level policies are available on this website. To obtain a copy of those not available on the website contact the Freedom of Information Lead via foi@kgh.nhs.uk.
Department of Health
To assist all health organisations the Department of Health produce documents/guidelines including;
Estate Management
The Estates department are responsible for the provision of policies with regard to health and safety to ensure not only that our legal obligations are met, but to ensure the safety and well being of our patients and staff.
Charging Regimes and Policies
We have provided a link to the payment by results tariff for treatment on the Department of Health website.
Links
Department of Health Policies - www.dh.gov.uk/en/AdvanceSearchResult/index.htm?searchTerms=policies
National Patient Safety Agency Guidance - www.npsa.nhs.uk/search/?q=guidance
NICE Guidance - www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp
Health Protection Agency - www.hpa.org.uk/
Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) - www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Regulatoryguidance/index.htm
Royal College of Nursing - www.rcn.org.uk/
Standing Orders – part of our constitution - www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/files/file/Register/Kettering/Kettering_schedule1.pdf
Caldicott Guardian - www.dh.gov.uk/en/AdvanceSearchResult/index.htm?searchTerms=CAldicott+Guardian+2008
Research Governance Framework -
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Researchanddevelopment/A-Z/Researchgovernance/DH_4002112
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