Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of people through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.
Individuals may be trafficked into, out of, or within the UK. They may be trafficked for a number of reasons, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and organ harvesting.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is committed to upholding the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business. We expect our staff and our suppliers to comply with this legislation.
About CUH
Cambridge University Hospitals is a family of hospitals comprising Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie. As part of the NHS, we deliver expert care for patients – locally, regionally and nationally – while our vibrant teaching community equips and empowers our staff for the future. We also benefit from and contribute to some of the most important biomedical research in the world today.
We bring together our daily experiences of patient-led care, our renowned teaching hospital and our ground-breaking research programmes to deepen our understanding of medicine as a science and a practice. We learn as much from our dedicated staff and the patients they care for as we do from our scientists and research partners. Every member of our community is part of the effort. Everything we do, we do together
Our hospitals
- Addenbrooke’s provides emergency, surgical, and medical care for local people. It’s also known for specialist services like organ transplants, brain and nerve care, children’s care, and genetics.
- The Rosie, on the same site, is a women’s hospital and the top centre in the area for maternity care. It has its own operating theatres, baby assessment unit, ultrasound department, and a unit for babies needing intensive care.
Adherence with the Modern Slavery Act 2015
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) remains firmly committed to complying with the Modern Slavery Act and sets clear expectations for staff, suppliers, and other key partners to do the same. We accomplish this through:
Safeguarding
CUH Safeguarding Adult and Children policies include information on modern slavery and human trafficking and staff are expected to report concerns about slavery and human trafficking and management are expected to act upon them in accordance with our policies and procedures.
Procurement
The Trust prioritises ethical procurement, ensuring workforce wellbeing and protection throughout its supply chain. By purchasing via NHS Supply Chain and enforcing standard terms requiring suppliers to address modern slavery and human trafficking, the Trust reduces social exploitation and safeguards rights.
Recruitment and selection policies
The Trust’s Workforce department oversees recruitment to ensure all staff are hired following references and pre-employment checks, such as immigration and identity verification. This process gives assurance that every staff member has the legal right to work before beginning duties within the Trust.
The Recruitment and Selection Policy clearly sets out required procedures at each key stage to support safe and effective hiring. Additionally, the Trust conducts annual audits of workforce and recruitment practices to ensure that our practices are robust and fit for purpose.
Freedom to Speak Up
The Trust promotes a culture of openness and accountability by encouraging staff to raise concerns, including any circumstances that may indicate a risk of modern slavery or human trafficking. The Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up arrangements provide staff with confidential routes to report concerns and access support, with matters considered through established governance processes to support oversight and learning.
Governance
The Trust has established governance arrangements in place to support compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Modern slavery-related matters are overseen through relevant safeguarding, workforce, procurement and Board assurance processes, providing a framework for accountability, escalation and review.
Non-urgent advice: Key actions to undertake in 2026/27
In undertaking the requirements of the Trust under the Modern Slavery Act 2025 in 2026/27, CUH will:
- Continue to develop awareness within the Trust of modern slavery issues, strengthening the visibility of these issues within our reporting arrangements.
- Ensure that Procurement staff receive regular updates and training so that they are aware of legislative requirements in this area.
- Make suppliers and service providers aware that we expect them to understand and adhere to the requirements of the legislation.
- Strengthen the way in which modern slavery assurance is articulated through Board and sub-committee reporting, to provide clearer visibility of the basis on which assurance is being taken.
- Use NHS Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services for specification and tender documents which require suppliers to comply with all relevant legislation and guidance, including modern slavery conditions.
- Consider how future workforce and recruitment assurance activity can more explicitly reflect compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
- Only work with NHS framework approved agencies for the recruitment and placement of workers and employees, auditing compliance with safe recruitment practice.
- Ensure that all staff undertake mandatory Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults training, and mandatory training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking is reflected in the Trust’s safeguarding policies and work plans.
- Maintain robust Freedom to Speak Up arrangements which allow staff and others to raise concerns in confidence.
Board of Directors: 10 June 2026 Modern Slavery Act 2015 compliance statement.