The foundations of Riverdale Healthcare group were laid in dental practices with a positive approach to community and charity engagement. We are committed to build on the founding values and create a comprehensive, embedded and group wide approach to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities.
Our ESG programme is headed by our CEO Emma Barnes. The programme is being developed, reviewed and implemented by the Senior Leadership Team and an external expert consultant.
Our ESG aspirations split into 4 main aims:
High standards of corporate governance and integrity are essential not just to effective operation but to the fulfilment of our core mission. We aim to ensure our governance is in line with best practice.
Riverdale Healthcare Group is subject to an annual external audit conducted by our independent auditors, Hazlewoods. Consolidated audited statutory accounts are reviewed by Hazlewoods and filed at Companies House.
Our accounts are audited annually using a financial reporting framework that is applicable by law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We operate an appropriate approval hierarchy for spend, with assets suitably safeguarded and reviewed. We have preventative controls in place including balance sheet reconciliations, debtor reviews, variance analysis, new supplier sign off, verification of bank accounts, with access to systems strictly controlled.
To prevent conflict of interest, all directors are required to disclose any related party transactions on an annual basis, and any such transactions are disclosed within our statutory accounts.
We require GDC registration and number confirmation from all employees as well as an up-to-date immunisation schedule with confirmation of the necessary vaccines. All practice employees are required to have a full DBS and indemnity is required for all self-employed contractors.
Our SLT meeting agenda templates include a question on Social & Environmental impact for any strategic decisions to ensure that they align with our ESG commitments. We also include a specialist ESG advisor at all strategic planning sessions or reviews.
All tax compliance requirements are completed by the group, in conjunction with our tax advisers. We additionally have access to suitably competent external tax advisers for any matters that may arise.
Our patient complaint procedure can be viewed here.
We understand that with a happy team, we will keep our people, make the most of their talent, and exceed expectations. We want our people to enjoy their work and the relationships they build every day. We’re happiest when they can fulfil their personal aspirations, be developed, rewarded, and achieve a genuine work-life balance.
All our staff are paid at or above the National Living Wage, and we make the required pension contributions.
We also plan to build on our existing commitments to our people in the following way through our ESG plan:
Reducing our emissions to help prevent climate change is a critical issue for society which we take seriously. As well as lowering GHG emissions, we have a comprehensive approach to protecting the environment in every aspect of our operations.
We are currently working on several projects to achieve the first targets in the following areas:
We’re a company that actively supports our profession and our community. We aim to operate robust and meaningful partnerships with the charity and community organisations our teams and our group identify.
Our community strategy is in the first stages of development. We are selecting our Group charity partner and are piloting a practice level approach to charity and community partnerships, so that every one of our teams can engage meaningfully with the ESG strategy.
Our medium-term objectives for Community are:
