What is the Whistleblowing Policy?

At Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our work are ethical and professional. We do not tolerate corrupt, illegal or undesirable conduct, or the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.

We support the making of protected disclosures that reveal 'reportable conduct'. RDNS staff, suppliers, clients or anyone who believes they have knowledge of improper conduct at RDNS may make such disclosures.

RDNS management will take all reasonable steps to protect anyone who makes protected disclosures from reprisals for making a disclosure. It will afford natural justice to people who are the subject of the disclosures.

People are encouraged to continue to raise complaints or grievances that fall outside the protected disclosure parameters through RDNS' established complaints process.

What is 'reportable conduct'?

A protected disclosure of 'reportable conduct' is a complaint or allegation about any conduct performed by an RDNS employee that, in the honest belief of the person reporting the conduct:

• (a) Is dishonest; or
• (b) Is fraudulent; or
• (c) Is corrupt; or
• (d) Is doing something illegal (including theft, drug sale/use, violence or threatened violence and criminal damage against property); or
• (e) Is in breach of Commonwealth or State legislation or local authority by-laws; or
• (f) Is unethical (either representing a breach of RDNS policies and procedures or generally); or
• (g) Constitutes serious and improper conduct; or
• (h) Results in, or contributes to, an unsafe workplace; or
• (i) Constitutes repeated instances of breach of administrative procedures; or
• (j) Constitutes gross mismanagement; or
• (k) Constitutes, or results in, a serious and substantial waste of RDNS resources; or
• (l) Constitutes a reprisal for disclosing reportable conduct; or
• (m) May cause financial or non-financial loss to RDNS or may otherwise be detrimental to RDNS interests.

Note: Selective presentation of information, or the suppression of relevant information, is considered to be an act of dishonesty.

Who do I talk to if I want to make a protected disclosure?

RDNS has appointed STOPline Pty Ltd, an independent service provider, to assist with the implementation and management of protected disclosures. STOPline provides an independent, secure, impartial and highly confidential disclosure management system to address the requirements of our Whistleblowing Policy.

Protected disclosures can only be made by contacting STOPline. Disclosures can be made either verbally or in writing and can be made anonymously.

What happens to my protected disclosure?

STOPline will de-identify your protected disclosure, if necessary, and pass it onto the CEO of Royal District Nursing Service or its Chairman. The status of, and actions resulting from, protected disclosures will be regularly reported to the RDNS Board.

Phone:      1300 304 550

Mail:  RDNS c/o STOPline

  Locked Bag 8

  HAWTHORN

  VICTORIA 3122

Email:      RDNS@stopline.com.au

Fax:  (03) 9882 4480