Race Equality Week

Across the past five days (6 – 10 February), the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been supporting #RaceEqualityWeek.

Each day, our staff have been encouraged to take five minutes to take part in a daily challenge.

All of us have been asked to think about how we pronounce names, reflect on the language we use and make a commitment to change.

The Trust’s Inclusion Co-Ordinator, Sharon Woma, said:

“We know that equality, diversity and inclusion must be central to everything that we do – and The Trust is committed to working hard to meet the diverse needs of our staff and the local population.

We want people to feel valued and respected, whether they’re here to work or receiving healthcare.”

Pledges have been made by members of staff, including committing to call out racism wherever it is seen and learning to be actively anti-racist.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Kevin McNamara said:

“Equality for me is about everyone feeling able to be true to who they are, free from judgement, so that everyone can be the best version of themselves.

You don’t have to have the same characteristics to have a voice, and the burden to make change happen should not fall on the shoulders of those with personal experiences of feeling unwelcome or excluded.

We can all make a difference. We can all be an ally.

As an organisation, we are committed to challenging discrimination and championing opportunity, making sure that we listen to staff and patients at every stage.”

More than 20 per cent (1,131) of our workforce are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background, a higher proportion than elsewhere in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire region.

We know that staff often experience more abuse in the workplace and like all inequalities, it’s everybody’s responsibility to take action.

Race Equality Week unites thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the inequalities experienced by colleagues and inspire one another to build a more inclusive culture.

You can find out more about the week and make your own promise to change on the Race Equality Matters website.