Gifts for Nurses - FOI Response Register

1. Please supply a breakdown for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24 of items logged on your organisation’s gifts and hospitality register by/relating to nursing staff* (include Agenda for Change band 5 and above). I request the following details laid out like the following example, in table form:

2. Please can you also tell me – does your organisation have a policy with a monetary limit on gifts (i.e. gifts valued under £50 are allowed) and are cash gifts ever permitted?

Cash gifts to individuals should not be accepted. Our Corporate Governance Handbook Code of Conduct has a section regarding the acceptance of gifts and hospitality (extract below) which applies to Board Members and in principle to all staff:

Gifts and Hospitality

3.13 I understand that I may be offered gifts (including money raised via crowdfunding or sponsorship), hospitality, material benefits or services (“gift or hospitality”) that may be reasonably regarded by a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts as placing me under an improper obligation or being capable of influencing my judgement.

3.14 I will never ask for or seek any gift or hospitality.

3.15 I will refuse any gift or hospitality, unless it is: a) a minor item or token of modest intrinsic value offered on an infrequent basis; b) a gift being offered to my public body; c) hospitality which would reasonably be associated with my duties as a board member; or d) hospitality which has been approved in advance by my public body.

3.16 I will consider whether there could be a reasonable perception that any gift or hospitality received by a person or body connected to me could or would influence my judgement.

3.17 I will not allow the promise of money or other financial advantage to induce me to act improperly in my role as a board member. I accept that the money or advantage (including any gift or hospitality) does not have to be given to me directly. The offer of monies or advantages to others, including community groups, may amount to bribery, if the intention is to induce me to improperly perform a function.

3.18 I will never accept any gift or hospitality from any individual or applicant who is awaiting a decision from, or seeking to do business with, my public body.

3.19 If I consider that declining an offer of a gift would cause offence, I will accept it and hand it over to my public body at the earliest possible opportunity and ask for it to be registered.

3.20 I will promptly advise my public body’s Standards Officer if I am offered (but refuse) any gift or hospitality of any significant value and / or if I am offered any gift or hospitality from the same source on a repeated basis, so that my public body can monitor this.

3.21 I will familiarise myself with the terms of the Bribery Act 2010, which provides for offences of bribing another person and offences relating to being bribed.

3. Finally, please state whether any nursing staff at your organisation were left any gifts or sums of money in patients’ wills during this time period?

This information is not held.