As it is documented in Medco guidelines and Rapid understands that Bribery a d corruption is, unfortunately, a feature of corporate and public life in many countries across the world. Governments and businesses are working together to tackle the issue and as p rt of this process the Bribery Act 2010 has been passed. This includes offences where an organization fails to prevent persons associated with the organization from committing bribery on its behalf and where the organization is guilty of giving or receiving bribes including bribery of a foreign public official.

The Legislation for bribery

The Bribery Act came into force on 1 July 2011. The act makes it an offence for a UK citizen or resident to pay or receive a bribe, either directly or indirectly. The act provides for transactions that take place in the UK and abroad, and both in the public and private sectors.

This Act deals only with bribery – not other forms of white collar crime

providing services on behalf of the business entity. However, it is a defence for the business if it has adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery.

The act creates three main offences:

  • bribing a person to induce or reward them to perform a relevant function
  • improperly requesting, accepting or receiving a bribe as a reward for performing a relevant function
  • improperly using a bribe to influence a foreign official to gain a business advantage.

The relevant function referred to can be an activity associated with the private or public sector provided that the function should be carried out in either good faith, impartially or that the person performing it is in a position of trust. Improper performance of a relevant.

function would be a failure to perform it in line with the relevant expectation. The test for whether performance was improper is what a reasonable person in the UK would expect.

While acknowledging that the scope for bribery and corruption in a company such as Rapid Medical is limited and/or mitigated by other procedures, the Directors fully appreciate the importance of suitable controls to prevent any possibility of bribery and corruption within its operation or by any person associated with the Company. They also want to actively promote a culture based on a commitment to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in which bribery & corruption is not permitted or condoned in any manner.

The purpose of this policy is to set out the company’s approach to upholding these principles.

RMS could be liable if a very senior person in the organization (for example, a managing director) commits a bribery offence. This person’s activities would then be attributed to the organization.

RMS could also be liable where someone who performs services for it – like an employee or agent – pays a bribe specifically to get business, keep business, or gain a business advantage for your organization.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all Directors and employees of Rapid Medical Services including contract and temporary personnel. We will also encourage the application of this policy amongst our business partners including instructing Solicitors, Medical Experts and other contractors and suppliers.

Managerial Responsibilities

The Directors have appointed Saif Khan as Anti-Bribery Officer (ABO) responsible for overseeing our policy on anti-bribery and corruption and ensuring it is upheld both in word and spirit.

This responsibility includes:

  • an annual review of the policy;
  • an annual risk assessment of issues relating to the policy;
  • overseeing training and communications relating to the topic.
  • Ensuring the principles and objectives of Medco are upheld

Only this person has authority to make amendments to the policy. However, ultimately the Directors remain accountable overall for the policy’s implementation.

Third Party Due Diligence

The scope of the Bribery Act 2010 requires us to identify third party business relationships which may give opportunity for that third party to use bribery while acting on our behalf. The need for due diligence checks is proportionate to the nature of the businesses work and operations and the nature of our work raises few situations in which a third party would have need or opportunity to act in such a way.

Gifts & Hospitality

Gifts and hospitality are commonly used in business circles to build relationships and market services or products. Hospitality often takes the form of entertainment, meals or tickets to events. If the provider of the hospitality does not attend, then it should be regarded as a gift. Businesses often pay expenses for a potential client to business related conferences or events.

While this is all normal practice, it is recognized that gifts and hospitality can be used to influence and corrupt third parties and on occasion to man oeuvre employees into a position of obligation.

No gifts shall be given or accepted as per Rapid Medical Policy.

Rapid Medical policy does not allow staff to attend or host and hospitality events.

Authorization

Staff is permitted to attend courses related to Medco QC to increase the knowledge; however, no one including Director is permitted to attend any hospitality event over night stay, or any other entertainment provided by any third party. Staff will need authorization for Saif Khan to attend any courses.

You are not permitted to attend or host any hospitality event.

Job Referred by a Business Link

Rapid Medical has a policy to not to give job to anyone referred by the business links.

Amendment in Prognosis

Any instructing party asking amendment in the prognosis as a favor Rapid Medical will not accept to change any amendment in the prognosis.

Commission

RMS has a Policy of not accepting or paying commission in any form to experts or Instructing parties.

Cash transactions

There is no cash payment arrangement in receiving or paying to anyone in Rapid medical.

Risk Assessment

As part of managerial responsibilities a risk assessment will be conducted to assess the extent and nature that the company is liable to the risk of bribery or corruption in its activities. This assessment will record the type of risk and the means by which the Companies can prevent or mitigate its exposure to such risk. This will be a living document and will be periodically reviewed and assessed as the needs of the business develop.

Communication & Training

It is important that all personnel are fully aware of this policy and have ready access to it for reference sake. For this reason we will ensure that:

  • The policy will be made available on the central server;
  • Any authorized amendments to the policy will be notified to all staff via e-mail and the central document duly updated
  • New personnel are made aware of the policy during the course of their induction to the company.
  • Specific training on the subject will be provided if it is felt to be appropriate

Personal Responsibilities

Everyone at every level and in every role or capacity within the company has a personal responsibility to uphold the principles of this policy. Aside from the risk of criminal liability, personnel should be aware that any breach of procedure in relation to the letter or spirit of this policy may be interpreted as a matter of gross misconduct and subject to disciplinary proceedings.

No member of staff should hesitate to contact the ABO if they have any questions about the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, its implementation or implications.

All personnel are actively encouraged to contact the ABO if they have any suspicions about another member of staff and actions in relation to bribery and corruption by that other person. Similarly in relation to any 3rd party with whom the company has dealings. Such reports will be dealt with on a strictly confidential basis.

Procedure for Raising the Bribery Issue

Procedure for raising the issue related to Anti bribery: Every member of the team has been warned and trained that they should raise any issue relating to Anti bribery policy or incidence privately or openly whichever they wish to raise. In the case they want their name not to be disclosed, staff is ensured about it.

Rapid Medical has advised all the staff to keep a strict eye on others to ensure no one is involved in any form of bribery. If they see any incidence they must report to the manager or Director immediately. If any staff found not disclosing the information about involvement of staff in any kind of bribe, despite knowing about it, will face serious consequences.