As staff of the Royal Children’s Hospital
(RCH), we value Unity, Respect, Integrity and Excellence. The Code of
Conduct sets out the way we conduct ourselves at RCH and is based
on four values and our Compact, all of which inform and guide our
behaviours. RCH policies and procedures, including
the Code of Conduct are integral to the RCH achieving its vision of being
a ‘GREAT children's hospital, leading the way’.
Our values underpin everything we do
at RCH, and our Compact describes and commits us to the way we work
together. At all times, we behave in a way that upholds these principles both
as individuals and as representatives of the RCH.
This procedure applies to all RCH Board
members, managers and employees, prospective employees, contractors, honorary
employees, students, volunteers and affiliates. Our campus partners and contractors acknowledge and observe the
Code.
Whilst the
RCH Code of Conduct specifies the behaviours expected of employees and
volunteers, it should be read in conjunction with any professional code of
conduct that is relevant to the profession of the individual. Each
employee or volunteer of RCH is also required to comply and abide by the Code
of Conduct as published by the Public Sector Standards Commission. This can be
found on the Victorian
Public Sector Commission website.
Unity
We work as a team and in partnership with our
communities:
- We work together to create a safety culture through
our commitment to the physical and psychological wellbeing of one another and our
patients and families.
- We take responsibility for fulfilling the tasks
assigned to us by applying all our knowledge, skills and experience.
- We are highly customer service focused, including
being helpful and responsive to our internal teams working together to deliver
‘Great Care’.
- We share the workload within our teams, including
stretching ourselves to achieve our goals.
- We actively contribute our ideas and initiatives,
listen to others’ views, consult and collaborate with one another in support
and acceptance of final decisions once they are made.
- We work with our campus partners to improve
services for our patients and their families and to provide opportunities for
our staff.
Respect
We respect the rights of all and treat people the
way they wish to be
treated:
- We respect and value each other's professionalism
and contribution, working with each other collaboratively to achieve the best
outcomes for all.
- We are committed to diversity, inclusion, fairness
and equal employment opportunities.
- We accept people’s cultures and beliefs and allow
them to enjoy their identity, language and history.
- We do not tolerate bullying or harassment or
violence and intimidation (either verbal or physical) or unlawful
discrimination.
- We are polite and respectful in all of our written
and verbal communications including on social media.
- We respect our staff’s right to freedom of choice
and expression, consistent with this Code.
Integrity
We believe that how we work is as important as the
work we do:
- We are honest, ethical and open in our dealings
with each other, our patients and their families.
- We provide accurate, honest and complete
information while ensuring we respect our privacy and confidentiality
obligations.
- We do not knowingly make false statements, or
mislead directly or by omission, in all communications.
- We respect confidentiality and do not misuse
information which we learn about the RCH, our staff, patients and families
during our employment. We maintain this confidentiality even after we have
left the RCH.
- We work within professional and legal boundaries
and maintain therapeutic professional relationships with our patients and their
families.
- We use the resources, services and facilities
provided to us by the RCH only for the purpose and in accordance with the terms
on which they have been provided. This includes physical, financial and
intellectual property.
- We perform our work impartially and refuse all
offers that could be reasonably perceived as undermining the integrity and
impartiality of the RCH or ourselves.
- We observe the highest standards of integrity in
financial matters and comply with the requirements of relevant financial
management legislation and RCH policies and procedures.
- We report any possible fraudulent behaviour or
observed misconduct.
Excellence
We are committed to achieving our goals and
improving outcomes:
- We share our knowledge and expertise generously to
support excellence across the RCH.
- We strive to achieve the highest quality in our
work.
- We aim to continuously improve all aspects of our
service and evaluate our results.
- We uphold the principles of patient-focused and
family-centred care in everything we do.
- We ensure our patients and their families are
actively involved in decisions regarding their care and treatment.
- We acknowledge our role in the broader community
and involve ourselves in activities that make a contribution.
- We consider the impact of our decisions on our
patients, families, colleagues and the community.
Our Compact
Our Compact is a commitment from every
one of us that it’s not just what we do that matters, it
is how we do it. By defining appropriate behaviour, acknowledging our
personal responsibility to behave in that way, and by asking others to hold us
accountable for our actions, our Compact contributes to a more respectful work
environment.
The Pledges in our Compact are:
- We do better work caring for children and families
when we also care for each other
- I actively promote and celebrate our diverse team
- I bring a positive attitude to work – I share, I
laugh, I enjoy other’s company
- I take responsibility for my behaviour and its
impact on others
- I am curious and seek out ways to constantly learn
and improve
- I celebrate the good stuff, the small stuff, the
big stuff – it all matters
- I speak up when things aren’t right
- I value the many different roles it takes to
deliver great patient care
- I actively listen to others, because I want to make
the best decision
Our
responsibilities under the Code of Conduct:
We adhere to all the terms and conditions of our
employment contract and RCH policies and procedures. Each of us as an RCH
employee and volunteer has a responsibility to abide by applicable legislation,
the Code of Conduct and RCH Policies and Procedures and to ensure that others
who report to us or who we are working with also comply. The most relevant
of these policies and procedures to our employment contracts are:
Breaches
Breaches of this Code of Conduct, or of RCH
policies and procedures, should be reported to your manager, team leader, or to
a People and Culture representative as soon as practicable. This includes
behaviour that violates any law or regulation or represents corrupt conduct,
mismanagement of public resources or is a danger to public health or
safety. If you are unsure whether an action is a breach of legislation,
the Code of Conduct or an RCH Policy or Procedure you should raise the matter
with your manager or with a People and Culture representative.
The RCH takes breaches of this Code of Conduct and
other RCH policies and procedures seriously. Employees who breach this
Code of Conduct may face disciplinary action up to and including termination of
employment. Contractors and volunteers may also face disciplinary action,
including termination or cessation of their engagement if they breach the Code. Serious
breaches of this Code that amount to potential criminal conduct may also be
referred to the police.