Our Information Publication Scheme is the information that we routinely publish in order to fulfil our obligations set out in Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act (2000). We have adopted the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme and follow the definition document for health bodies in England. 

This Publication Scheme commits us to make information available to the public as part of our normal business activities. The information covered is classed in the following seven categories.

Dorset HealthCare is responsible for all mental health services in Dorset and the majority of community health services. We are the biggest provider of healthcare in Dorset, and serve a population of almost 800,000 people. We employ around 7,000 staff, covering a wide range of expertise and specialisms. Find more information about: 

Dorset HealthCare is federated with Dorset County Hospital, and also works in partnership with a wide range of local statutory, independent and voluntary organisations. These includes our commissioners, GPs, University Hospitals Dorset, BCP Council, Dorset Council and Bournemouth University. 

Annual statement of accounts – our accounts are audited annually and the independent auditors’ statement is included in our Annual Report. Our monthly financial and operational performance is reported to the Trust Board – find more information in the Finance Report and Trust Board Integrated Corporate Dashboard in our monthly Board papers. 

Finance policies – our Standing Financial Instructions can be found under the Policies and Procedures page. 

Funding and expenditure – our capital programme illustrates planned capital expenditure for the year. Further details of our income and expenditure can be found within the accounts and financial section of our Annual Report.

Salary and pension entitlements of senior managers and Board members – see the remuneration report within our Annual Report. 

Staff allowances and expenses – details of what can be incurred or claimed by staff are set down in national guidance. See the NHS Employers website for more information. 

Staff pay and grading structures – our staff are paid in line with national rates set down in relevant pay schemes. Details of the Agenda for Change pay structure can be found on the NHS Employers website, and information about doctors' pay schemes is available on the BMA website. 

You can find more information about our priorities, and how we are performing, in our Annual Report and Annual Plan. 

Our Strategic Plan Summary Document also contains information on our five-year strategy. 

Our performance against national and local targets is reported to the Trust Board each month. Find more information in the Finance Report and Trust Board Integrated Corporate Dashboard in our monthly Board papers. 

Further information on our performance, including clinical governance, audit reports and service users surveys, can be found on our Quality page and in our Quality Account. 

Information about our decision-making processes and records of decisions are set out in our Trust Board pages. 

Decisions are informed by our engagement strategy (set out on pages 53-56 of our 2020-25 five-year strategy on our strategies, plans and reports page) and public consultations (visit the NHS Dorset website for details of any current public consultations affecting healthcare across Dorset). 

The following is a selection of our key policies and procedures, in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office on policies that should be made publicly available as part of the Publication Scheme. 

If you would like a copy of a policy or procedure in another language or format, i.e. large print or audio, please contact our communications team.   

Clinical and operational policies 

Guidance for Responding to Complaints 

Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy 

Freedom of Information Policy 

Conflicts of interest Policy 

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Policy 

Internet and Social Media Use Policy for Staff, Patients and Trust Visitors 

Reporting and Investigating Deaths 

Finance and information governance policies 

Information Governance Policy 

Standing Financial Instructions 

Health and safety/corporate risk policies 

Health and Safety Policy 

Human resources (HR) policies 

Disciplinary Policy 

Handling of Concerns and Disciplinary Procedures Relating to the Conduct and Performance of Doctors 

Recruitment and Selection Policy 

Freedom to Speak Up Policy 

 

All our other policies and procedures are available for staff on our intranet. 

Our main contractors and suppliers 

Our suppliers of goods and services are primarily those agreed by NHS Procurement. Consultants and contractors used for estates and maintenance work may include any supplier registered with Constructionline. For environmental reasons we also use local contractors for food stuffs. 

Register of interests 

The Trust Board Register of Interests formally declares any conflicts of interests our Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors may have. 

 

In addition to accessing the information identified in this Publication Scheme, you are entitled to request information about the Trust under the Freedom of Information Act (2000).