Equality and Diversity

The Trust is committed to:

1. To delivering services equally and recognise the different and diverse needs of the community it serves
2. To build a workforce that is valued and whose diversity reflects the communities it serves, enabling the health community to deliver the best possible healthcare services.

The way it goes about putting these into practice is six fold:

1. To be clear of its goals and how it will achieve these through the Trust's Diversity Steering Group which meets every other month
2. By developing a range of policies and procedures which support the equality and diversity agenda
3. Using equality impact assessments for the development and review of policies, procedures, strategies, when services are changing, for events or functions
4. To continue to review its Age Action plan, Equality Schemes and action plans for Gender, Race and Disabilities
5. To develop a draft Single Equality Scheme and action plan by November 2010
6. To support a Diversity Staff Network so that staff can contribute to a culture that promotes and values diversity

The Trust's current priorities are:

1. Rolling out the use of the newly agreed template for screening and full equality impact assessments
2. Supporting and embedding the work of its Community Development Workers in local communities
3. Working with local partners on progressing a Social Inclusion strategy
4. Working with recruiting managers to increase opportunities for volunteering, supporting work placements for individuals who have a learning disability or who have or have had mental ill health and identifying substantive jobs for those same individuals.

 Diversity Staff Network 

In 2002 a Race Awareness Staff Group was established. This has recently been extended to reflect the wider diversity issues affecting staff and is now called the Diversity Staff Network and welcomes staff with an interest in diversity issues and particulary those from a BME background, staff with a disability or those who may be from sections of the community which can face social exclusion. The Group was formed in order that adequate time and resources could be made available to ensure that the Trust as a significant employer in the community is both fulfilling its obligations and aspirations on equality and diversity.

The group is run by its staff along the lines of a support network. It aims to provide a support for all staff on a range of diversity and equality related issues as well as providing a useful consultation forum for the Trust.

If you require any further information on the group or you would like to participate as a member you can do so by contacting any of the following:

Community Organisations 

Useful Website Links 

Commission for Racial Equality

Breaking Through Programme

World Religions

Gay-Glos, counselling & helpline

Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists

Age Positive

Age Matters (New Legislation)

Stonewall

Contact For Further information 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact: