We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. We expect that our supply chains have suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes. Most of our purchases are against existing supply contracts or frameworks which have been negotiated under the NHS Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract which have the requirement for suppliers to have in place suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes. We expect each element in the supply chain to adopt at least ‘one-up’ due diligence on the next link in the chain as it is not always possible for us (and every other participant in the chain) to have a direct relationship with all links in the supply chain. Our standard invitation to tender (ITT) documentation includes a standard question asking whether suppliers are compliant with section 54 (Transparency in supply chains etc.) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. If they are, they are required to provide evidence. If they are not, they are required to provide an explanation as to why not. In addition, our standard contract contains the following provisions: The Supplier warrants and undertakes that it will: (i) comply with all relevant Law and Guidance and shall use Good Industry Practice to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains; and (ii) Notify the Authority immediately if it becomes aware of any actual or suspected incidents of slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains; (iii) At all times conduct its business in a manner that is consistent with any anti-slavery Policy of the Authority and shall provide to the Authority any reports or other information that the Authority may request as evidence of the Supplier’s compliance with this Clause 10.1.29 and/or as may be requested or otherwise required by the Authority in accordance with its anti-slavery policy. We expect all those in our supply chain and contractors to comply with our values. The Trust will not support or deal with any business knowingly involved in slavery or human trafficking. Senior colleagues within our Procurement Team are duly qualified as Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and have passed the Ethical Procurement and Supply Final Test. This statement is made pursuant to section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the Trust’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.
