Definition Continued

The Staff Governance Standard applies to all staff employed by, or officials of, NHS Boards. The ethos of the Staff Governance Standard should also be reflected in the arrangements with private and independent contractors and partner agencies working with NHS Boards. In order to effectively embed staff governance and achieve the above aims, there is a need for ownership of, and accountability to, the Staff Governance Standard at all levels and across all staff groups, from individual staff and their representatives, managers at all levels and members/officials of Health Boards.

The Standard requires all NHS Boards to demonstrate that staff are:

• well informed;
• appropriately trained and developed;
• involved in decisions;
• treated fairly and consistently, with dignity and respect, in an environment where diversity is valued; and
• provided with a continuously improving and safe working environment, promoting the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the wider community.

The Standard also requires all staff to:

• keep themselves up to date with developments relevant to their job within the organisation;
• commit to continuous personal and professional development;
• adhere to the standards set by their regulatory bodies;
• actively participate in discussions on issues that affect them either directly or via their trade union/professional organisation;
• treat all staff and patients with dignity and respect while valuing diversity; and
• ensure that their actions maintain and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff, patients and carers.

The Staff Governance Standard should influence and feature in the design and application of all policies and procedures for the management of people by NHS Boards. Organisations that have fully implemented the Standard will have the following characteristics as a minimum.

Previous page | Next page