Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is made on behalf of the Board of Wye Valley NHS Trust with regards to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which requires large employers to be transparent about their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking in their supply train.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is designed to consolidate various offences relating to human trafficking and slavery, which includes servitude, being forced or deceived into work, not being able to leave freely and easily without threat to themselves or their family resulting in undesirable or unsafe conditions.  Under the Act, eligible organisations must publish an annual statement in line with their financial year end.  The Act places an obligation to state the steps WVT will take to or has taken to detect and deal with forced labour or human trafficking in the supply chain. 

WVT aims to follow good practise and take all reasonable steps to prevent slavery and human trafficking.  We are committed to ensuring all our employees are aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and their safeguarding duty to protect and prevent any further harm and abuse when it is identified or suspected that the individual may be at risk of modern slavery/human trafficking.

WVT are committed to ensuring that no modern slavery or human trafficking takes place in any part of our business or our supply chain.  Our supply chain includes procurement of medical services, medical and other consumables, facilities management, utilities and waste management.  For clarity, the ‘supply chain’ has a much wider implication than just the purchasing of goods and services carried out by procurement teams.  It includes the supply chain of the carrying out of its own business.  Our supply chain ‘in carrying out its own business’ includes HR recruitment for permanent staff, bank and agency staff and other bought in medical and non-medical consultants.

The Trust continues to develop ethical policies and procedures to reflect our commitment to act ethically in all our business relationships, developing and implementing effective controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place within our supply chains. WVT will identify which policies require the addition of appropriate reference to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and its requirements.  These policies will be updated in line with policy ratification process for approval if required.  

Training is provided to those involved in the supply chain and the rest of the organisation as part of the Trust's safeguarding role.   The Trust provides learning, as required by the Core Skills Training Framework which includes Modern Slavery Act, which includes an awareness of human trafficking and forced labour and provides advice on what to do if this is suspected. The module is mandatory for all new staff and refresher training, and participation can be monitored and reported on if required.

The Trust will work to identify and mitigate risk and put in place contractual terms which will allow the Trust to gain assurance that slavery and human trafficking have no place in our business”.