Equality and diversity
The NHS Constitution includes a duty “not to discriminate against patients or staff and to adhere to equal opportunities and equality and human rights legislation”.
The Equality Act 2010 replaced previous anti-discrimination laws. It harmonised equality legislation, simplifying and strengthening the law to protect individuals from unfair treatment.
The Act extended protection against discrimination to nine ‘protected characteristics; age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships'.
As a Trust we want to be an organisation where:
- Patients choose to be treated
- Our staff want to train, work and progress in their careers
- The communities we serve want to engage with us.
When we do this well we have the benefit of improved access to services and experience as well as better health outcomes for our patients.
Celebrating the diversity of our workforce ensures that we have a representative, supported and well-led organisation free from harassment, bullying or victimisation.
We have to publish information to demonstrate compliance with the general equality duties and publish specific and measurable equality objectives.
What we do
The Equality and Diversity Steering Group which is accountable to the Trust Board, is chaired by the Trust Chairman and the Executive Equality and Diversity Lead, the Trust Medical Director, who is supported by the Assoc. Director Employee Engagement and Diversity manager.