Are you familiar with the Social Media Policy?

The Trust has recently published an updated version of the Social Media and Digital Policy, which covers expected standards of use when it comes to social media, both in and out of work.

Whether you use social media in a work or personal capacity, it is important to familiarise yourself with the information in our social media policy to ensure it is used responsibly and appropriately.

All staff and volunteers should familiarise themselves with the Social Media and Digital Policy.

In the meantime, below is a reminder of some tips you can follow:

Expected standards

Colleagues must remember that they are bound by their own professional code/ code of standards of conduct, performance and ethics when making use of social media. Staff have a duty to conduct themselves in a professional manner, which includes posting on social media. This is including, but not limited to;

• You must not use social media in a way that could damage the Trust’s interests or bring it into disrepute, directly or indirectly.
• You must not publish or make comments on social media that could be considered inappropriate, indecent, obscene, lewd, graphic, slanderous, defamatory, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening or malicious.
• You must not use social media to disclose any personal, sensitive or confidential information relating to the Trust, its patients, services user or staff.
• You must not imply you are authorised to speak on behalf of the Trust (unless you have the express authorisation of the C&ET), including setting up (directly or indirectly) any social media account (or attempt) that purports to be an official Trust account without the express authority of the C&ET.

The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) has produced some helpful guidance on social media.

What is social media?

Social media is the term commonly used for internet based and mobile communications technologies that enable users to share dialogue and content with others. Examples of popular social media platforms include (this list is indicative and not exhaustive):

• Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Yammer)
• Microblogs (e.g. Twitter)
• Messaging boards
• Photo and video content sharing sites (e.g. YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Flickr)
• Social messaging platforms (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger)
• Wikis (e.g. Wikipedia)
• Zoom

Published 24th October 2022