Fraud, bribery and corruption statement
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation trust is committed to eliminating fraud and corruption within the NHS, freeing up public resources for better patient care.
To this end, the Trust employs a specialist counter-fraud service to provide a comprehensive programme against fraud and corruption which is overseen by the Trust’s Audit Committee.
The committee are committed to applying and enforcing effective anti-bribery and fraud measures to prevent, examine and eradicate fraud, bribery and corruption. The board will seek to apply the strongest penalties to anyone involved in fraud or bribery activities; staff and suppliers alike.
To reduce both the Trust’s and its staff’s exposure to Bribery there are clear policies in place:
- Standards of Business Conduct Policy
- Counter Fraud Policy
- Whistleblowing (Speak Up, Speak Out) Policy
A register of interest for directors, staff and governors is held to demonstrate the open and transparent way we conduct our work within the Trust.
Zero Tolerance
The Trust fully complies with all anti-fraud and corruption legislation, the Bribery Act 2010 and has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and bribery.
It is a criminal offence to give, promise or offer a bribe, and to request, agree to receive, or accept a bribe. A bribe may take the form of any financial or other advantage to another person in order to induce a person to perform improperly.
Although the Bribery Act permits hospitality, all staff are required to consider on an individual basis whether accepting any hospitality offered is appropriate and should they then elect to take it, to record it within the Trust’s Gifts, Hospitality, Sponsorship and Declaration of Interest Policy so that it has been fully disclosed.
It is also important that all our contractors and agents comply with our policies and procedures.
When entering into contracts with organisations the Trust follows the NHS standard terms and conditions of contract for the purchase of goods and supplies.
For more information see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-standard-terms-and-conditions-of-contract-for-the-purchase-of-goods-and-supply-of-services#history
We ask all who have dealings with the Trust, as employees, agents, trading partners, stakeholders and patients, to help us in our fight against fraud and corruption and to contact us immediately.
If you have any concerns or suspicions we need to know about, the Trust’s Nominated Senior Counter Fraud Specialist can be contacted in confidence:
Byron Kevern
Nominated Senior Local Counter Fraud Specialist
- By phone on 07775 417 508
- or by e-mail - byron.kevern@nhs.net
All genuine suspicions of fraud and corruption can also be reported to the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on free phone 0800 028 40 60, again in strict confidence.