Important information - Making declarations of interests, gifts and hospitality using ESR

From 1 April 2023, all conflict of interest declarations for staff will be made via ESR. You will no longer be required to log in to the previously used system ‘Declare’.

Guidance on how to make a declaration via ESR is available here.

Line managers now have the ability, via ESR, to view declarations made by their staff and will receive a monthly notification to review and create management actions were required.

Decision Making staff’ – It is a statutory requirement that the Trust holds a register of declarations for staff who are deemed to be ‘Decision Making Staff’, and these are refreshed and updated annually.

The Standards of Business Conduct Policy has recently been revised, and from 1 April 2023 in line with NHS England guidance, ‘Decision Making Staff’, have been amended to staff at band 8D and above (previously 8A and above). Please read the policy for further information.

As well as all staff 8D and above, there are other staff who may be deemed as decision making, i.e., some staff within procurement, estates, pharmacy and other teams. These staff are required to complete a declaration regarding interests each year, if you do not have any interests to declare, you are still required to make a ‘Nil’ declaration. You will receive a notification via ESR if you are deemed as a Decision Making Staff member.

All staff – regardless of band, all staff are required to make a declaration if there is one and update it each financial year. The various types of interests can be found in the policy.

If any staff receive gifts or donations, these must also be declared. Further information of gifts, hospitality, donations etc, is available in the policy.

Failure to declare interests constitutes a breach of the policy; responsibility for declaring an interest within 28 days is solely that of the staff member concerned.

Please direct any questions or queries to: declarations@merseycare.nhs.uk