Diversity and inclusion

The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) is set out within the Equality Act 2010 and details:

Aim 1: eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010;

Aim 2: advance equality of opportunity between people who share protected characteristics and persons who do not share it;

Aim 3: foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

The Act also explains that having due regard for advancing equality involves:

• removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics;
• taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people;
• encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.

The Equality Act (2010)

The Equality Act has brought together and streamlined many strands of previous equality legislation in England, Scotland and Wales. It also introduces the new “public sector equality duty” (PSED), which is made up of the general equality duty which is supported by specific duties. 

The Act extends protection to the nine protected characteristic groups: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

• Understanding what an Ally is
• Recognising one’s own privileges and using these to support colleagues
• Learning the importance of becoming an Ally in the workplace
• Empowering others around you to become an Ally.

We collectively need to reaffirm our total opposition to all forms of discrimination and abhorrent behaviour. Injustice wherever it occurs has dramatic effects on you, our staff and citizens, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Not only do Allies support people that are discriminated against, but they help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect. 

Vox Pop Networks

Our Vox Pop networks are open forums, run by staff and for staff, to provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss issues relating to protected characteristics.

These networks have been established to increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity and inclusion at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare. They also aim to provide a platform where people can find support and where equality objectives can be progressed.

The network co-chairs enable the networks to be staff and community led, with the aim to give those people from seldom heard groups a platform within the organisation, with the intention to improve experience and outcomes across the employee journey. The events combine a sprinkle of academic research and our organisational values, to offer our staff a fresh and exciting way to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity.

The Department of Health has laid out a clear ambition for the NHS which is to be a health service that is responsive to the needs of and accountable to all members of all communities. A service that delivers high quality care for all, that takes appropriate account of individual differences. A service that commits to the ethos of 'everyone counts' and equality is integral to quality. This applies to all healthcare services provided or commissioned by the NHS. It applies to staff as well as patients and we support this ambition.

The Trust is committed to employment practices which aim to make sure that all staff feel valued and are treated with dignity and respect in an inclusive environment which acknowledges difference and celebrates diversity.

• The Trust continues to strive to improve its quality of care for our patients with the aim of providing a positive patient experience
• The Trust works to continually improve its employment practices and advance equal opportunities
• The Trust sees equality and diversity as central to this work and core to our business

The Trust uses a data led approach to all of our work on diversity and inclusion. Whilst the health and wellbeing of all our staff is paramount, data shows those protected under the Equality Act 2010 have a poorer experience.

We will not tolerate discrimination in any of it's forms. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare is an anti-discriminatory organisation.