Our values

Following an extensive period of staff consultation, the Trust has identified a set of values.  These values will help us to define and develop our culture – what we do and how we do it.  

Why do we need values?

Writing down the values of the Trust, making them part of the our culture and demonstrating them through the organisation will help us develop a shared way of acting – not just in what we do but also how we do it.   

The Equality and Human Rights Scheme 2010 - 2013 underpins these values

How were these values decided?

The values that have been identified express values that are already demonstrated by the staff of Guy’s and St Thomas’. Rather than inventing a set of values for the Trust the values were identified by consulting representatives from all areas of Guy's and St. Thomas' and included non-clinical, clinical and management staff at all levels and reflect feedback from staff, the Board, the Members’ Council and the Trust Joint Staff Committee.

How will the values be used?

The values will become a key part of everything that we do as an organisation, from being included in staff job descriptions and in our publications, through to our work on leadership development and performance management.

Our values

The values have been written down in a way that is simple and memorable and are written as doing things.  

The five values are:

We will:

Ways of demonstrating our values are:

Putting patients first

• Caring for patients as individuals
• Treating patients with compassion
• Judging every issue by considering the outcome for patients
• Giving priority to actions that will improve patient care and promote patient safety
• Listening to and acting on the views of patients and their carers

Taking pride in what we do

• Leading by example
• Promoting confidence in colleagues, teams and the organisation
• Recognising and rewarding achievement
• Valuing our workplace
• Celebrating success
• Learning from experience

Respecting others

• Showing commitment to working together 
• Contributing to effective teamwork
• Supporting and collaborating with colleagues
• Appreciating and celebrating diversity in staff and patients
• Engaging with and supporting our local community
• Working in partnership with others outside the trust

Striving to be the best

• Constantly seeking to improve quality and efficiency
• Eradicating waste of resources, time and effort
• Seeing change as an opportunity rather than a problem
• Challenging the status quo
• Tenacity in achieving goals
• Resilience in the face of setbacks

Acting with integrity

• Maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and accountability
• Openness and honesty in communication
• Working to ethical principles
• Respecting confidentiality
• Doing the right thing for the right reasons