Equality, diversity and inclusion

Collecting and monitoring data on the diversity of our workforce allows us to examine how our employment practices and processes are working, so areas where these appear to be impacting disproportionately on certain groups of staff can be identified. Importantly, the data collection, along with analysis can be used to inform and shape appropriate action.

The Equality Delivery System is a set of outcomes grouped under goals to help organisations improve the services they provide for their local communities and improve working conditions for those working in the NHS.

The gender pay gap is the difference in average earnings between women and men. Employers with more than 250 staff must report their organisation’s gender pay gap. The Gender Pay Gap Report is based on employer payroll data from a specific date each year.

We have staff networks that enable colleagues to be involved and support the Group to become a more inclusive place to work: Culture, Ethnic Minority, LGBTQ+, Inspiring Women and Neurodiversity networks.

Our networks:

• Provide a forum for colleagues to talk about issues that specifically affect them
• Raise awareness of equality in the workplace, host events, diversity days and initiatives
• Provide advice and guidance in the development and review of our policies and procedures.

Each year we produce an Annual Equality report in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 specific duties.

The Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) is a set of specific measures that will enable NHS organisations to compare the experiences of disabled and non-disabled staff. This enables the Trust to better understand the experiences of our disabled staff and enable a more inclusive environment. The WDES will also allow us to identify good practice and compare our performance with similar Trusts. 

The results of the Trusts WDES submission for 2023 can be found by visiting our Reports and Publications section.

The aim of the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) is to improve the experience of ethnic minority staff in the workplace. The implementation of the WRES will make tackling race equality a priority for the NHS and for the Trust. It will allow us to provide focus on a number of areas including:

• Ethnic minority representation at Senior Management and Board level
• The experience of ethnic minority staff in the employee relations process and NHS Staff Survey
• The non-mandatory training and development opportunities made available to ethnic minority members of staff

The WRES is a tool to systematically identify gaps between ethnic minority & white staff experiences in the workplace. In measuring those gaps and taking action this will achieve:

• Tangible progress in eliminating discrimination
• Support in the creation of a positive working culture and valued staff
• Improve the opportunities available to ethnic minority members of staff

This will create an environment in the Trust whereby all staff feels engaged, valued and supported. This will result in high quality patient care and improved health outcomes for all.

The results of the Trusts WRES submission for 2023 can be found by visiting our Reports and Publications section.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan 2023-2026, sets out our clear commitment to address inequalities for our patients, the communities we serve and the colleagues we work with.