Modern Slavery Statement

‍Policy Statement
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and human trafficking, all of which involve the deprivation of a person's liberty by another to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.

District Health has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery does not take place within our business or our supply chains.

We are also committed to ensuring transparency in our business and our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We expect the same high standards from all our contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. As part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory, or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect our suppliers to hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

This policy applies to all persons working for District Health or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives, and business partners.

This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and may be amended at any time.

Responsibility for the Policy
The Senior Management Team has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations and that all those under our control adhere to it.

The Chief Operating Officer has primary responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it, and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they effectively counter modern slavery.

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that their teams understand and comply with this policy. They must also provide regular training on the issue of modern slavery in supply chains.

Suggestions for improving this policy are encouraged and should be directed to the Chief Operating Officer.

Compliance with the Policy
You must ensure that you read, understand, and comply with this policy.

The prevention, detection, and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of everyone working for or under District Health's control. You must avoid any activity that could lead to or suggest a breach of this policy.

If you believe or suspect a conflict with this policy has occurred or might occur, you must notify your line manager immediately.

We encourage raising concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery at the earliest possible stage. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or may occur, notify your line manager or report it according to our Whistleblowing Policy.

If you are unsure about whether a particular act, treatment of workers, or working conditions within any supply chain tier constitutes modern slavery, raise it with your line manager or the Chief Operating Officer.

We aim to foster openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they are mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers detrimental treatment for reporting in good faith their suspicion of modern slavery.

Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, or other unfavourable treatment related to raising a concern. If you believe you have suffered such treatment, inform the Chief Operating Officer immediately. If unresolved, employees should raise the issue formally through our Grievance Procedure.

Communication and Awareness of this Policy
Training on this policy, and the risks of modern slavery in our supply chains, forms part of the induction process for all individuals working for District Health. Regular training will be provided as necessary.

Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors, and business partners at the outset of our business relationships and reinforced as appropriate.

Breaches of this Policy
Employees who breach this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

We may terminate our relationship with other individuals or organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.