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The Modern Slavery Act 2015

The Modern Slavery Act is a piece of legislation which sets out a range of measures on how modern slavery and human trafficking should be dealt with in the UK. Whilst not all the Act is directly relevant for business, section 54 entitled ‘Transparency in supply chains’ impact the corporate sector. The Act, which came into force on 29 October 2015, requires many businesses to disclose a ‘slavery and human trafficking statement’. West Herfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust complies with this requirement in the following statement, which was approved by the Board on 1 June 2023:

2021/22 Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

1. Introduction

Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires all organisations to set out the steps they have taken during the financial year to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains, and in any part of its own business.

The aim of this Statement is to demonstrate that West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust follows good practice, and all reasonable steps are taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking.

All members of staff have a personal responsibility for the successful prevention of slavery and human trafficking with the procurement department taking responsibility lead for overall compliance.

2. Structure and supply chains

The Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. It also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of north London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and east Hertfordshire.

The Trust’s standard Terms and Conditions require suppliers to comply with relevant legislation and a large proportion of the goods and services procured are sourced through Government supply frameworks and contracts also require suppliers to comply with relevant legislation. Social value considerations are also included in specifications and evaluation criteria where this is appropriate and legal to do so

3. Our policy on slavery and human trafficking

The Trust has zero tolerance of slavery and human trafficking and is committed to maintaining and improving systems, processes and policies to avoid complicity in human rights violation and to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its supply chain.

The Trust’s policies, procedures, governance and legal arrangements are robust, ensuring that proper checks and due diligence are applied in employment procedures to ensure compliance with this legislation. The Trust also conforms to the NHS employment check standards within its workforce recruitment and selection practices, including through managed service provider contract arrangements.

4. Due diligence

To identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in its own business and its supply chain, the Trust:

5. Training

The Trust has training in place to ensure frontline staff are vigilant to any potential cases of slavery and human trafficking and are equipped to take the appropriate action. Further information on modern slavery and human trafficking is available through the Trust’s safeguarding children and adults policies and procedures and the safeguarding team.

6. Aim

The aim of this Statement is to demonstrate that the Trust follows good practice, and all reasonable steps are taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking. All members of staff have a personal responsibility for the successful prevention of slavery and human trafficking with the procurement department taking responsibility lead for compliance in the supply chain.

7. Board approval

The Board has considered and approved this Statement and will continue to support the requirements of the legislation. The Statement has been reviewed in 2023 and will continue to be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

Matthew Coats,
Chief Executive

Dated: 19 June 2023