Our Commitment to Transparency
At the Mental Health Platform (MHP), we are committed to upholding transparency and integrity in all aspects of our work. To ensure that decision-making processes remain impartial and free from undue influence, we have established a robust Declaration of Interest (DoI) Policy. This policy is designed to identify and manage any potential conflicts of interest that may arise among our members.
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional affiliations could, or could be perceived to, compromise their ability to make unbiased decisions within the MHP. This includes any interest within the last five years that might interfere with independent judgement.
All MHP members involved in decision-making, advisory, or peer review roles are required to declare relevant interests. This includes:
- MHP Hub members
- External members with MHP roles
- Individuals participating in collaborative projects
Declarations should also include relevant interests of close relatives (e.g., spouse, partner, or children) where known.
- Declaration and Registration: Members must complete a Declaration of Interest form (Annex I) and update their information as soon as possible.
- Annual Review: The Coordinating Centre team reviews the Declaration of Interest register annually.
- Mitigation Measures: If a potential conflict arises, appropriate measures may be taken, including exclusion from specific decision-making processes.
- Confidentiality and Compliance: All disclosures are managed in line with GDPR guidelines and are securely stored.
- Public Transparency: Declarations may be shared with MHP members, funders, or other stakeholders and published on the MHP website as appropriate.
In rare cases where disclosure of specific details is restricted due to contractual or legal obligations, members are encouraged to outline the general category and nature of their interest without naming the entity involved.
If you are required to declare an interest, please complete the Declaration of Interest form (Annex I) and submit it to mhp@ed.ac.uk.
By implementing this process, we ensure that all stakeholders, including the public and funders, can have confidence in the integrity and transparency of MHP’s work.