Our Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

Aim of this policy

The aim of this policy is to enable the practice to embrace our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and manage it with the same level of professionalism as other parts of the business. In doing so we hope to fulfil our responsibilities, engage our team and improve our reputation.

Achieving the Goal

In aiming to achieve our goal we address the following areas:

• People & Ethics
• Environment & Sustainability

People & Ethics

Leadership & Internal Communication:

• We have a written structure in place for positive, clear and regular communication
• We share our business goals with all staff in team meetings
• Regular Staff meetings are held and minuted using iComply
• There is a written and spoken commitment to honesty and respect in communication, and this is monitored
• There is a written Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy in place
• There is a written Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy in place
• We have a system in place for internal communications using our WhatsApp group or via circulating paperwork
• Each person has a written job description for their role

Patients & Suppliers:

• We have a price list on display at reception and available on our website
• We obtain valid consent for all treatment
• We review our Audit of Disability Access on an annual basis and reasonable adjustments are made
• We have a system for gathering patient feedback which includes an annual patient survey and a comments box in reception as well as on our website
• Information leaflets are readily available in reception to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options
• All suppliers are paid within their terms
• We use the Patient Satisfaction Poster to inform patients of changes made to the practice following their feedback

Team Development, remuneration, wellbeing:

• We ensure that all new team members follow an induction programme
• We ensure that each team member has a written Personal Development Plan, which is reviewed and updated annually
• We carry out regular staff 1:1s
• Each team member receives the living wage as minimum
• All team members are offered access to occupational health
• Contracts of employment or agreements are in place for all team members, kept up to date, and adhered to
• We retain key statutory documents (e.g. Proof of identification) in staff personnel files and keep them up to date using the Staff File Checklist
• We have a Staff Handbook in place containing policies and procedures in line with current employment law and ACAS guidance
• We carry out an annual salary review for all employed team members and increases are given where possible
• A Flexible Working Application Policy is in place and flexible working patterns are supported where appropriate

Environment & Sustainability

• We make sure that all lights, computers and electronic devices are switched off when the practice is closed
• No plastic bottled water is supplied at the practice and single use items are bio-plastic where possible
• Biodegradable or washable cups are used throughout the building. We do not use disposable cutlery or plates
• We offer recycling of non-clinical waste on site for staff (including paper, plastics, card, cans)
• Waste is separated in surgery so that clinical waste is minimised, and a licensed waste carrier is used with relevant Waste Transfer Notes supplied
• We use 100% re-cycled paper. We only print when necessary and double-sided printing is always used (unless it is critical to use single sheets)
• We re-cycle our non-confidential paper for note taking
• We use Fair Trade or Fairly Traded tea, coffee, and sugar
• We clean our environment with as few chemicals as possible and we use large wipes rather than small ones for clinical decontamination which reduces waste by 60-70%
• The practice uses low energy bulbs where possible
• We monitor water consumption and aim to reduce water consumption annually
• We are committing to reducing landfill waste and aim to achieve this goal by implementing waste minimisation programmes, monitoring clinical/recycling and general waste quantities

Charity

We have chosen to support charities that we have a connection with including The Olmalaika Trust, WWF and Mouth Cancer Awareness.