Fraud, bribery and corruption statement

This 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 and Assurance Committee.

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 Hospitality register (in line with the Receipt of Hospitality, Gifts and Inducements Policy) so that it has been fully disclosed.

It is also important that all of 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 http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_121260

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 Counter Fraud Specialist can be contacted in confidence:

Nominated Counter Fraud Specialist

Gareth A Robins

Counter Fraud Manager, BRS

Grant Thornton UK LLP

D +44 (0)121 232 8781

M +44 (0)7747 261782

T +44 (0)1908 660666

E Gareth.A.Robins@uk.gt.com

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.

Jonathan James

Deputy Director of Finance

South Western Ambulance Charity

The South Western Ambulance Charity, founded in 1995, uses gifted monies to benefit those in our communities who use our service and to improve the welfare of the staff and volunteers of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Our charitable support covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire including Bristol and Swindon.

If you would like to show your appreciation for the care that you or your loved one has received from us in the form of a charitable donation please visit our online giving website: Donate to South Western Ambulance Charity | Give as you Live Donate