Yorkshire and Humber SPF partnership working principles

These principles have been developed by the Yorkshire and Humber SPF, working in partnership, and discussed and agreed in July 2025. 

The following 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 impact on our colleagues.
• We will be mindful of the ways in which we undertake this work, carefully watching our language, tone and style, and will always be respectful of each other.
• We will champion a compassionate approach and offer support to colleagues.
• We will seek to avoid harm to individuals and actively promote best practice and the use of equality impact assessments 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 and remain committed to a focus on reducing health inequalities within our region.
• We are one NHS; we value all contributions equally regardless of role and champion teamwork across the health service.
• We will promote the creation of safe spaces for our NHS people to express their concerns and they will be proactively listened to. 

The principles are signed by:

• Nick Parker, Management Side Co-chair - Executive Director, People and Organisational Development, Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Charlie Carruth, Staff Side Co-chair - Regional Organiser, UNISON

The Yorkshire and Humber SPF also endorses the ‘Minimising Impact of Organisational Change’ work by South Yorkshire ICB and encourages organisations in the region to adopt similar approaches.

These partnership working principles will be reviewed in January 2026.