North East North Cumbria SPF Partnership Working Principles

These principles have been developed in partnership by the North East North Cumbria SPF, discussed and agreed in July 2025. 

The principles set out how partnership working will be prioritised and maintained during times of significant NHS infrastructure changes and workforce reductions. 

• Our shared commitment to partnership working will continue to be at the core of our discussions and work.
• We commit to open and honest conversations, with a ‘no surprises’ approach.
• We recognise the size and scale of the change which lies ahead, knowing these changes will be difficult and there will inevitably be impacts on colleagues.
• We will be mindful of the ways we undertake this work, carefully watching our language, tone and style, and we will be respectful to each other at all times.
• We will champion a compassionate approach and offer support to colleagues.
• We will seek to avoid harm to individuals and actively promote best practice to minimise impact.
• We are committed to mitigating job losses as far as possible, working to retain colleagues in employment, supporting redeployment and sharing employment opportunities both within the NHS and other sectors.
• We recognise our wider social responsibilities.
• We are one NHS - we value all contributions equally regardless of role and champion teamwork across the health service.
• We will promote creating safe spaces for our NHS people to express their concerns and they will be listened to proactively.

The principles are signed by:

Rachael Metcalf, Management Side Co-Chair - Human Resources Director, South Tees Hospitals

Denise McLaughlin, Staff Side Co-Chair - Senior Regional Officer, RCN

Lesley Hodge, Management Side Vice Chair - Associate Director of Operational Delivery and Resourcing, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Ian Fleming – Staff Side Co-Chair - Regional Organiser, UNISON

This statement will be reviewed in January 2026.