Finance

The Trust must be fully accountable for its financial activities. To ensure this, we are required to publish a set of annual accounts which describe in detail the financial performance of the Trust for a particular year. Also published is an Annual Report which provides a detailed description of how the Trust has performed overall for the year in question.

In order to manage our finances, a financial budget is produced on an annual basis and approved by the Trust Board. This is presented every year in a Financial Strategy. We also need to monitor our financial performance during the year.

A Finance Report is presented regularly to the Trust Board providing an update on progress against the Trust’s financial targets and identifying where there is a risk of the targets not being met. The financial performance is also monitored by a Finance Committee, a sub-committee of the Trust Board. The minutes of the Finance Committee are presented to Trust Board.

Copies of the Finance Reports are available as part of the paper for each Trust Board.

To ensure that our finances are managed effectively the Trust Board have approved Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions for the organisation which are in line with regionally approved models.

These outline the processes by which we manage our finances and also outlines who is authorised to do what.

Our external and internal auditors review the way we manage our financial systems. They report to our Audit Committee, which is a sub-committee of Trust Board.

The Annual Report and Accounts of the Charitable Trust Funds held by the SEHSC Trust for the year ended 31 March 2014

The Annual Report and Accounts of the Charitable Trust Funds held by the SEHSC Trust for the year ended 31 March 2013

The Annual Report and Accounts of the Charitable Trust Funds held by the SEHSC Trust for the year ended 31 March 2012

Procurement

Purchase of equipment and supplies / Procurement

The procurement of goods and services for the South Eastern HSC Trust is managed and delivered by the Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), which is accredited as a Centre of Procurement Expertise (COPE).

PaLS is part of the Business Services Organisation (BSO) which provides a broad range of regional business support functions and specialist professional services to the whole of the health & social care sector in Northern Ireland.

View the BSO website.

For current tenders click here.

National Fraud Initiative

National Fraud Initiative (NFI) in Northern Ireland 2014/15 -Level 2 Fair Processing Notice

The South Eastern HSC Trust is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Comptroller and Auditor General audits the accounts of the South Eastern HSC Trust. The Comptroller and Auditor General is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under his powers in Articles 4A to 4G of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there may be an inconsistency that requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is a fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Comptroller and Auditor General currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Comptroller and Auditor General for matching. Details are set out in the Northern Ireland Audit Office’s website www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

The use of data by the Comptroller and Auditor General in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Comptroller and Auditor General is subject to a Code of Practice. This may be found at www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

For further information on the Comptroller and Auditor General‘s legal powers and the reasons why he matches particular information, see Level 3 notice on the NIAO website at www.niauditoffice.gov.uk For further information on data matching at South Eastern HSC Trust contact:

Brian Grimley
Financial Accounting & Governance Manager
Tel: (028) 9151 2054
Email: brian.grimley@setrust.hscni.net

Standing Orders

Standing Financial Instructions are issued for the regulation of the conduct of the Trust, its members and officers in relation to all financial matters with which they are concerned. Together with the Standing Orders, Schedule of Decisions Reserved to the Board and the Scheme of Delegation, they regulate the Trust’s business.

They detail the financial responsibilities, policies and procedures adopted by the Trust and are designed to ensure that the Trust’s financial transactions are carried out in accordance with the law and with Government policy in order to achieve probity, accuracy, economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Standing Financial Instructions for the South Eastern Trust

Charitable Donations

How to donate to the Charitable Trust Funds

“Through donations received we will improve the provision of high quality Services and Facilities throughout the Trust, focussing on areas not supported through Public Funds.”

Every year the South Eastern HSC Trust receives many donations from members of the public. These donations vary in amount from small to large amounts and all are greatly appreciated. They come from individuals, community groups, families, patients, sports clubs, schools, businesses – from all walks of life and all areas of our Trust. Donations are allocated to the specific fund chosen by the donor.

How are donations used by the Trust?

When donations are given to the Trust, they are used in four main ways:

To provide additional comforts for patients, clients, relatives and visitors
Staff appreciation, eg. general hospitality, social events or celebrations
Staff Education and Training
Academic research and development.

Donations can be made to any of the Trust’s 11 Charitable Trust Funds

These Superfunds are Directorate Service based Charitable Trust funds which are aligned to how the Trust delivers its services throughout the South Eastern HSC Trust area. Further detail on each fund can be found at the end of this document.

How do I make a donation?

Donations can be taken via cash or cheque. These can be posted to our cash office (details below) or via a staff member. Please speak to a member of staff if you wish to donate in this way. Please specify which fund you would like the money allocated to.

The kindness of the public is appreciated by our staff and we are grateful for the continued generous support for Trust patients and staff.

Contact details for charitable Trust Funds

Direct dial is 02891 512056

CharitableTrustFunds@setrust.hscni.net

Ards Cash Office

Finance Building

Church Street

Newtownards

BT23 4AS

Financial Plans

Savings Targets & Plans

In response to the budget published by the NI Executive in January 2015, the DHSSPS outlined that all its Arms Length Bodies are required to achieve significant savings in order to finance existing cost pressures and commitments.

In response, the Trust developed 2015/16 Savings, Targets & Plans. The purpose of this plan is to outline the position of the Trust within the overall DHSSPS financial plan. This plan was approved at the Trust Board meeting held on 25 March 2015.

2023 Savings Targets & Plans