All document templates should be read in conjunction with the ACCOTS style guidance to ensure homogeneous language is used in all our documents. Please do not amend the layout, colours and fonts used in this template.

Introduction

This should be a brief outline of the purpose of document and its scope.

Principle considerations

This section should contain the bulk of the information of the SOP. Please use appropriate sub-headings and bullet points to break up the information, and aid the reader in finding exactly what they want to know. Please ensure you complete Table A below.

Please send the final completed document to accotstransferservice@gmail.com Please note that documents will not be uploaded to the team Google drive unless all sections have been completed in full and the document has been formally signed off by the correct approval authority..

What Should be in your SOP?

A standard operating procedure is described as ‘written instructions intended to document how to perform a routine activity. Except where specifically stated, all steps in a procedure should be deemed mandatory and any deviation from the procedure should be recorded and approval sought prior to any deviation. SOPs help ensure consistency and quality in processes and are also useful tools to communicate best practice. Procedures must comply with any associated policies. It is possible for a policy to have control over more than one procedure.

You should consider if the document you intend to construct would better fit the definition of a Guidleline or Policy (see associated document templates for respective definitions). SOPs should fall in line with the policy and any guidance it is linked to, but the author must remember that if there is more than one policy the SOP falls under, it must reflect all of them.

Research evidence can be found through the Library, who can research the most current evidence on the topic. They provide an enhanced literature searching service that can help ensure any updated guideline is evidence based and up-to-date. This service is free of charge 

Any appendices should go after the boxes at the end of the document, on a new page (you can create a page break by putting the cursor underneath the boxes at the end of the document, selecting the ‘Insert’ tab and clicking ‘Page Break’).

Principles of restraint in law and UHBW policy

Break up your guideline by including headers to keep the information relevant.

Use straightforward plain text as much as possible. Keep to this standard font (Arial). Any acronyms should be spelt out first with the acronym in brackets after. The acronym can then be used throughout the rest of the guideline.

Any job titles used throughout the document should be in lower case, however Department names should be capitalised.

Appendix 1 – Supporting documents

Additional information, such as algorithms/flow-charts, large tables or proformas should be included here. Where possible, be mindful of sizing these to fit a whole, single page so that, if required in paper-form, they can be easily printed off from the master document. Insert a page-break after each appendix for the same reason.  

Appendices should be described in the text and referenced by their number only e.g. “Details on contacting additional clinical advice if the Duty consultant cannot be reached can be found in the Advice Cascade diagram (Appendix 1)”. The appendix itself, should include the title of the appendix at the head of the page i.e. “Appendix 1 – Advice Cascade Diagram”.

Version vx.x   From: Mmm yy – To: Mmm yy) Author(s) ACCOTS Leadership team