The Scope of this Statement

This statement of intent is for everyone NUH is accountable to, namely: our patients and service users, their families and carers, our staff, local communities, partner organisations, regulators and elected representatives. 

It applies to Trust Board members and all NUH staff (including students, volunteers, bank and agency workers and third-party contractors/partners who provide services to the Trust).

As a large, publicly funded healthcare provider, NUH has a duty to meet legal and regulatory standards, and to act with transparency, openness, and integrity. We must demonstrate that we are using public resources responsibly, making decisions in the best interests of our patients, and striving to deliver safe, high-quality care.

To NUH, accountability is a wide principle which goes beyond its literal definition and encapsulates being transparent in how we operate, the choices that we make and the resources we manage. Whilst responsibility refers to the duty to perform tasks or duties, accountability goes a step further it requires that we can explain, justify and take ownership of our actions and their impact on others.

*The Hillsborough Law is a UK bill that proposes a legal duty of candour for public authorities and officials to ensure they act with honesty and transparency in inquiries and investigations, Dec 2025.

We also recognise that accountability extends beyond compliance. It is about how we lead, how we listen, and how we respond when things go wrong. In line with the NHS Just and Learning Culture Charter, NUH is committed to fostering a culture where fairness, respect, psychological safety and compassionate leadership underpin every interaction. This means creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up, are treated fairly when concerns arise, and can expect a response that prioritises learning and improvement over blame.

We believe that successful accountability means an organisation that:

• Clearly explains decisions and actions, with evidence and reasoning made available to the public and staff.
• Takes responsibility for both successes and challenges, ensuring that corrective actions are taken where needed.
• Engages with patients, staff, and the wider community, creating an ongoing dialogue that informs decisions and service improvements.
• Demonstrates continuous improvement, showing measurable progress in the quality of care, safety, and efficiency.
• Maintains the public's trust by ensuring that actions and outcomes reflect the values and expectations of the communities we serve.

By clearly setting out our approach to public accountability, this statement reaffirms NUH’s commitment to earning and maintaining the trust of the people we serve. It highlights our responsibility to explain our decisions, listen to our stakeholders, and remain answerable for the outcomes and performance of our services, while ensuring that how we hold ourselves and each other to account reflects our values of kindness, inclusivity, ambition and working as one team.