Volunteer Information Pack
Introduction
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust provide hospital and community services for people living in County Durham and Darlington and some specialist services for people from the North East region.
As an NHS foundation trust, the Trust enjoys greater autonomy from central control and local people are able to have a greater say in the way we run and deliver our services. Currently, we have over 6000 public members and 8000 staff members who have joined the Trust and who have a direct influence on service delivery.
The Trust provides services from many sites including:
· University Hospital of North Durham
· Darlington Memorial Hospital
· Bishop Auckland Hospital
· Shotley Bridge Community Hospital
· Chester-le-Street Community Hospital
· Sedgefield Community Hospital
· Richardson Community Hospital Barnard Castle
· Weardale Community Hospital – Stanhope
· A variety of Community venues throughout County Durham and Darlington.
As a provider of healthcare we focus on the delivery and development of the highest quality hospital and community healthcare services for the population of County Durham and Darlington.
Our priorities are:
· continuous quality improvement
· innovation, and productivity
· effective use of resources
· improving client satisfaction
To assist with these priorities, volunteers are making a big difference to the lives of patients, carers and staff across County Durham and Darlington.
Over 500 people are involved in volunteering activities across the Trust's hospital and community services. Whether meeting and greeting people in reception areas, or supporting the staff and patients on wards and in the community, the helping hands of volunteers reach out to all parts of our health services.
Why volunteer at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust?
We have volunteers based in a number of areas in our community settings and hospitals and in a wide range of roles. They support and assist staff in providing a more personal and friendly service to patients, relatives and carers.If you answer “yes” to the questions below, you might be what we are looking for.
Why volunteer for County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust?
We believe it is important that we involve local people in the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust vision.
As a volunteer you will commit your own time and energy for the benefit of others. Your commitment to supporting the work of community and hospital staff is highly valued.
By becoming a volunteer you will gain an insight into the positive work carried out by the NHS Foundation Trust staff, and this opportunity will offer you the chance to:
· Contribute positively locally
· Use existing skills
· Develop new skills
· Meet and interact with new people
· Help individuals with their hospital needs
What our volunteers say –
“Volunteering for the service is very rewarding when you know you have helped someone and given the right information when they did not know where to turn”
“From the start I found it interesting and stimulating, meeting with health professionals and lay people with interests in all aspects of the care and the welfare of hospital patients”
“I started volunteering after my husband died and I have now been involved with the Trust for 15 years. I really feel like part of the family at the hospital, helping to support the nurses and staff. They often say how good it is to have my help, but they don’t know how much they have helped me”
“I have only recently started volunteering during my gap year but it is something I would recommend to other young people. It is something which really helps develop your confidence and provides valuable experience”
Equality & Diversity CDDFT take pride in being a diverse organisation, enriched by the participation of all individuals and communities. We recognise that prejudice and discrimination continue to result in unfair treatment for many people. We are committing to addressing this by:
Ensuring effectiveness of the equal opportunities policies. By being clear, open and honest about our values and promoting them. By listening, learning and taking action to bring about change.
Code of Conduct This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour that is expected of Volunteers.
· Volunteers will observe Trust policies and procedures in helping to maintain standards of hygiene.
· Volunteers are expected to treat all patients, service users, visitors and staff equally, fairly and in line with the Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy.
· No strongly expressed religious or political beliefs are to be expressed to patients, service users, visitors or staff.
· Don’t be tempted to give advice on questions of subjects you know nothing about, refer the enquirer to a member of staff.
· Always ask the patients, service users, visitors or members of staff what they want, don’t make assumptions on their behalf.
· The individual beliefs of all patients, visitors and staff should be respected and treated with sensitivity.
· You should not tolerate abuse, discrimination or aggression, always report it to a member of staff.
· Volunteers will not consume alcohol, smoke or take drugs, nor be under the influence of alcohol or drugs whilst on duty.
· Volunteers will dress appropriately for the conditions and performance of their duties.
· If a Volunteer is involved in or aware of any incident that requires reporting via the incident reporting system, they must inform a designated officer of the Trust in order to ensure appropriate recording and reporting takes place.
NHS Constitution
The NHS Constitution brings together in one place what staff, patients and public can expect from the NHS. It sets out the purpose, principles and values of the NHS and explains a number of rights, pledges and responsibilities for staff and patients alike. Details of the NHS Constitution are available on the Trust website and Volunteers are encouraged to adopt principles and values set out within the Constitution.
Becoming a volunteer:
Step 1
Register your interest in becoming a volunteer by contacting the Volunteer Co-ordinator or Care Group Volunteer Supervisor (details on page 12 of this document). The Care Group Volunteer Supervisor will arrange to meet with you to discuss the requirements of the role. This will be an informal meeting, giving both you and the Supervisor the opportunity to discuss your suitability to volunteer within your preferred service area.
Step 2
If you remain interested, and the Supervisor is in agreement that you could meet the needs of the role, they will complete an Informal interview form with you and provide you with an application form which you will be asked to complete and return to the Volunteer Co-ordinator. When you return the completed application form the Volunteer Co-ordinator will enter your details onto the Trust database and send for your references. When references are received, the Supervisor will be notified and they will proceed with the recruitment process.
Step 3
You will meet with your Supervisor to complete the recruitment process. You will be asked to bring with you methods of identification in order to complete the Disclosing and Barring (DB) documents.
Due to the nature of the work of the NHS Foundation Trust, the vetting process is rigorous and robust, providing an acceptable level of assurance as to the integrity of individuals who could have access to sensitive information and contact. A Disclosing and Barring (DB) check is required. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), volunteers are required to declare all previous convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands. This will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Relevant convictions will be taken into account, when considering a prospective volunteer application.
Step 4
If the vetting process indicates that you are suitable for the role, you will be invited to a Trust Induction programme. This is mandatory and must be completed prior to commencing your volunteer role with CDDFT. An ID Badge will be issued following induction. Please remember to take a photo id with you to the induction session.
You will be required to attend a half day Trust Essential Training programme annually.
Step 5
You can now make arrangements to meet with your Supervisor and discuss your availability.
Congratulations and welcome to volunteering with CDDFT.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
By phone – letter – email – contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator or Care Group Volunteer Supervisors. See pages 9-13 for contact details.
What age do I need to be before I can apply to be a volunteer in your hospital?
If you are aged 16 or over you are eligible to apply to become a volunteer.
Where are you recruiting?
We recruit to all hospitals and community settings in the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Opportunities will vary and should be discussed with the Volunteer Supervisor.
How many hours do I have to work?
A minimum of 4 hours per week, but working times are flexible.
We would also ask that you advise your Supervisor if you are, for any reason, unable to attend on your agreed time/date, so that we can make alternative arrangements.
If you are looking for volunteering opportunities for a short period of time, perhaps to gain experience prior to commencing university or college, a work experience placement may be more beneficial. Please contact Learning and Development department on 0191 3332160 for further details.
Why do I need to complete an application form?
It is a requirement of the NHS that you complete an application form in order for us to obtain your details and also to ensure that we carry out the necessary obligatory checks before you commence your role.
You will be invited to an informal meeting to discuss the expectations of the role prior to you completing the application details.
You will be required to sign a Declaration Form which is mandatory prior to commencing Volunteer duties.
Why do I need a health check?
It is important for us to establish you are fit to undertake the role you are volunteering for and to identify if any modifications are required to assist you to undertake the role due to working in a health care environment.
Do I need to pass any tests?
There are no requirements for tests to complete a volunteer role, however, vetting will be required as part of the application process, plus your training requirements will be addressed by your Supervisor appropriate to the volunteering tasks to be performed.
Why do I need vetting?
The purpose of vetting is to provide an acceptable level of assurance, as to the integrity of individuals who have contact with vulnerable patients and access to sensitive patient information.
What happens if I pass vetting successfully?
If the vetting process indicates a volunteer is suitable, you will attend a mandatory induction programme prior to commencing your role. When you have completed your trust induction programme, and all of your checks have been authorised, you can start your role – welcome to volunteering!
A personal record of each volunteer will be created and an ID card issued. An induction meeting/ tour of the department will be arranged at a suitable time, between yourself, and your Supervisor.
How long would vetting take?
Normally about 4-8 weeks, although this may vary.
Once I have been placed in my voluntary role, what do I do on my first day?
You and your Supervisor will have, between you, decided on a suitable day, date and time for you to start your voluntary work. You will have been issued with your ID badge, which you must wear at all times during your visits. Your Supervisor will explain/demonstrate what you will be doing during your voluntary time in the department. Please note, you must first obtain your ID badge prior to commencing your duties.
If I do not enjoy the voluntary role as much as I thought. What do I do?
If a voluntary role is not suitable for you, either speak to your Supervisor, or the Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Am I entitled to any travelling expenses?
Yes, all reasonable expenses will be paid. This includes:
Petrol allowance if own transport is used.
Public transport costs on production of receipts.
Car parking fees to the value of the time required to complete the voluntary activity and will be reimbursed on production of receipts.
You will be expected to submit an expenses claim form (available on the intranet) to your Supervisor monthly. Expenses submitted more than three months after the voluntary work was completed will not be processed unless there have been exceptional circumstances e.g. long term illness.
Arranging a car park permit
A car parking permit can be arranged by contacting the Estates Department. Your Supervisor may arrange this for you or provide you with the contact details.
Ensuring adequate travel insurance
You may be required to transport equipment, colleagues or patients within your agreed duties. You must have valid car insurance, MOT certificate and car tax in order to carry out this role.
Leaving volunteering The ID Badge remains Trust property. When you decide to leave your volunteer role, you must return the badge to your Volunteer Supervisor. You will also be asked to complete an exit interview.
Volunteer Profiles
Hospital Sites Who should I contact?
Patient Experience / Jill Salkeld, Patient Experience Manager0800 783 5774
To assist with the collection of feedback from patients on wards and departments. To collect comment cards and to ask inpatients questions about their experiences of the Trust. To deliver leaflets and posters to various departments.
Ward Helper / All hospital sites
Medical Wards – Fiona Day or Sheila Featherstone.
Surgical Wards – Jill Foggin
Community Hospitals – Pam Gwynn
0800 783 5774
To assist with the day to day functions of very busy wards including assisting patients at meal times. Contact Jill, Pam, Sheila or Fiona who will arrange for you to meet a Volunteer Supervisor.
Hospital Radio / Bishop Auckland, University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospitals
John Bright, DMH - 01325 743304
Craig Robinson, BAH – 01388 455452
Mike Hardy, UHND – 0191 3332168
Assisting with the running of the very popular Hospital Radio.
Welcomer / Bishop Auckland, University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospitals
Amanda Carr – 0191 3332333
Ensuring that visitors and patients to the hospitals are escorted or given detailed directions to the department they require
Chaplaincy / Bishop Auckland, Darlington Memorial and University of North Durham Hospitals
Kevin Tromans, Catherine Minor , Tom Gibbons DMH-01325 743288 , BAH-01388 455451, UHND-0191 3332183
To offer patient and visitor support during extremely difficult and sensitive times.
Tea Bar / Darlington Memorial Hospital
Alan Charlton, 01325 743 866
Making a valuable contribution to the Catering Department by providing drinks and snacks to patients and visitors.
Volunteer Shop / Darlington Memorial Hospital
Alan Charlton, 01325 743 866
Selling goods to visitors and patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Driving / Darlington Memorial Hospital
Alan Charlton, 01325 743 866
Transporting day care patients to and from the hospital, various pick up and delivery jobs for various departments of DMH.
Macmillan Information Centre.
Hospital sites. / Darlington Memorial & Chester le Street Hospitals – Susan Remillard 01325 743008
Bishop Auckland & Shotley Bridge Hospitals – Bernadette Measures 01388 455230
University Hospital North Durham – Susan or Bernadette
Dealing with enquiries from patients and visitors requiring information and support on upsetting and sensitive health issues.
Community Sites Who should I contact?