Equality and diversity
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of our Trust. This means we are determined to create an inclusive culture, that is actively anti-racist, where all our service users experience fairness and equality of access, treatment and outcomes. A culture where all colleagues feel a sense of belonging, where we are able to bring our authentic selves to work and able to achieve our full potential. We are an organisation that takes action to overcome barriers and discrimination and is proud to be one of the most diverse in the NHS.
We are Making Lives Better Together by celebrating diversity and taking action to be anti-racist and deliver race equality.
The Equality Act 2010 offers protection against discrimination to nine ‘protected characteristics; age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships'.
The NHS Constitution also includes a duty “not to discriminate against patients or staff and to adhere to equal opportunities and equality and human rights legislation”.
We want to go even further. 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 patients and workforce ensures that we have a representative, supported and well-led organisation free from harassment, bullying or victimisation. 
We are a Mindful Employer, a Disability Committed Employer and committed to the British Sign Language Charter. We were awarded a Silver Employer Award as part of our Stonewall Workplace Equality Index LGBTQIA+ efforts. We are also members of Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion and Stonewall Diversity Champions.
We publish information to demonstrate compliance with the general equality duties and publish specific and measurable equality objectives.