Healthcare organisations are being urged to proactively assess the potential risks of modern slavery within their supply chains in a bid to address this pressing issue.
According to recent statistics from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), cases of potential modern slavery victims have surged, with 17,000 reported cases in 2023 alone. This marks the highest national number reported since the NRM's inception in 2009, with British nationals comprising the majority of reported victims in the UK.
Identifying signs of modern slavery and establishing thorough due diligence measures are essential for healthcare organisations to minimise risks within their operations and supply chains. Various factors such as geography, product and services, types of work, employment conditions, and industry sectors play a pivotal role in identifying potential risks.
The NHS modern slavery statement outlines a set of actions to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, with additional activities identified to enhance its effectiveness. These key activities include:
- Developing a strategy to eradicate Modern Slavery in the NHS supply chain by improving supply chain mapping.
- Strengthening supplier vetting and e-procurement criteria for a robust, risk-based approach.
- Increasing audits of high-risk suppliers.
- Engaging NHS organisations through workshops to raise awareness and enhance stakeholder skills.
Alcumus SafeContractor collaborates with organisations such as the Supply Chain Sustainability School and Slave Free Alliance to provide healthcare organisations with support in conducting risk assessments and implementing due diligence measures. Through tailored training programs and workshops, healthcare teams can acquire the essential skills to recognise and report instances of unethical labour practices. Partnering with SafeContractor ensures that organisations only source and engage with compliant contractors and suppliers, offering complete visibility of the supply chain for well-informed decision-making.
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