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Patients First and Foremost - The patient’s welfare is at the heart of everything we do underpinned by high standards of clinical governance. We will harness the skills, innovation and technology necessary to offer high quality healthcare and sustainable improvements to our patients.  We will always provide a safe and secure environment for our patients, visitors and staff. We value and respect the diverse communities for whom we provide care and from whom we employ staff.  We are accountable custodians of public money that will be spent wisely and efficiently in the provision of public healthcare.  We will include our communities in how we plan and deliver services in partnership with other NHS and publicly funded services.

Corporate Principles 2005/06

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Corporate Objectives 2005/06

Putting Patients First and Foremost We will:

  Meet and exceed the standards expected of us by:

Minimising waiting timesReducing inappropriate referrals to and stays in hospitalSpending only what we have earned and can afford.Investing in clinical technology, skills and equipment relevant to the healthcare needs of our communitiesOffering accessibility, choice and convenience to our patientsReducing hospital acquired infectionsDelivering the Healthcare Commission’s Standards for Better Health

Be a learning organisation and will ensure that we employ the right staff with the right skills:

We train the healthcare teams of tomorrow We develop and nurture our staff to realise their full potential and ambitionWe learn from the good examples and best practice from outside the organisationWe learn from our achievements and mistakesWe will implement Agenda for Change and achieve “Practice Plus” status for Improving Working Lives

Effectively communicate with a wide and diverse range of internal and external audiences all of whom have a stake in the Trust.

We will develop our services in partnership with local people, our staff and others in the NHS. We will engage by always seeking to explain our actions and involve those interested in our progress.We will share information and be open and honest in our conduct.

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Corporate Objectives 2005/06

Putting Patients First and Foremost We will:

 Implement effective and affordable technological solutions:

We will integrate the IT in our hospitals and with our partners deliver technical solutions.We will use electronic communications to enhance choice for patients, improve internal administration and ease the sharing of clinical information between hospitals and GPs.

 Publish a Clinical Services Strategy which will make clear proposals for the future shape of our hospital services and how they integrate with other NHS services.

The proposals will be developed internally and consulted on thoroughly with staff.The proposals will be consulted on widely with our local communities.A clear timetable for implementing developments.

 Honour our statutory financial duties

Breakeven on Trust income and ExpenditureManage within the external financing limit Manage within the capital resource limitAchieve a 3.5% capital cost absorption rate