Staff Write their own Charter for Hospital Trust

1 November  2000

A Staff Charter, written and produced by hospital staff, will receive official approval today (Thursday 2 November) when Chief Executive of the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust adds her signature to the document.

"lt was fitting that the Staff Involvement Group, which has representatives from across the organisation, should be responsible for drawing up such an important document," said Johanna Finn, Chief Executive of the Trust.

"The Trust Board has given the Charter its full support and pledged its commitment to developing an environment in which staff feel valued, supported and involved in the provision of excellent patient care," she said.

In the Charter the Staff involvement Group recognised that staff also have certain responsibilities towards patients, visitors, colleagues and the organisation to ensure the delivery of a first class service.

The Chief Executive's signature will be one of seven to endorse the Staff Charter that will be framed and hung in the Committee Room, the venue for many Trust meetings.

Also signing the Charter will be Veronica Worrall, Chairman of the Trust, a member of the Staff Involvement Group, Graham Kendall, Staff-side Chairman, hospital porter, Dennis Watts who is the longest serving member of staff (34 years in total) and a representative and member of staff from Granada Healthcare who manage the domestic staff in the Trust.

In the spirit of the Staff Charter and in support of the Trust's commitment to providing lifestyle friendly initiatives a new support scheme will also be launched on the day.

Keeping in Contact will help to ease staff back to work after a long break (four months or more).

The scheme will provide support to those returning to work to help them quickly feel part of the organisation again by making them aware of any changes within the Trust and their particular area.