Equality Annual Report 2023–2024
This report aims not only to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 but also to highlight good practices and identify gaps in both service provision and staff support. It captures data required under the general duty and showcases our ongoing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
Introduction
Our annual equality report details our performance as a Trust and outlines our plans for improvement. This fulfils the requirements of the Equality Act 2010’s Public Sector Equality Duty, which mandates the Trust to annually publish equality data on our service users and workforce.
By comparing data across years, we can monitor the impact of previous actions and ensure that our activities effectively reduce inequalities. This process allows us to identify under-represented or disadvantaged groups and plan actions to improve their experiences.
As we move into 2024-2025, this report outlines our EDI priorities, focusing on key actions to enhance the experiences of our Trust’s staff. Our priorities include:
- Recruitment and EDI
- Anti-discrimination
- Allyship and leadership practices
We recognise the significant work required to equip all colleagues with the knowledge, skills, and resources to integrate EDI into their daily activities. Our goal is to create and nurture a culture of belonging for all colleagues and embed our anti-discrimination principles. We are committed to ensuring that EDI is the cornerstone of all policies, processes, and decision-making for both colleagues and patients.
This commitment involves taking an anti discrimination approach in every aspect of our work, providing a workplace where all patients and colleagues feel a genuine sense of belonging and are protected from the harm caused by discrimination.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead
Coral Boston: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
At Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHNHSFT), we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where patients receive high quality, personalised care tailored to their unique needs. Promoting diversity and eradicating discrimination within our workforce is essential to the evolution of our services and the hospital environment.
We align our efforts with our Trust Values, emphasising a culture of support and inclusion. Our goal is to provide outstanding, person-centred care to patients and ensure that our staff feel valued, heard, and respected, empowering them to bring their whole selves to work.
Our dedication includes upholding equity and fairness for all staff, without discrimination based on the nine protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010. Beyond compliance, we strive to cultivate a culture of inclusion that embraces the ‘whole person,’ naturally leading to greater equality and diversity.
Recognising the vulnerable health groups within our staff who may face health disparities, we are committed to addressing their needs as part of our broader Health and Wellbeing initiative.
While we acknowledge the need for progress, we are committed to enacting the necessary changes. Everyone plays a role in promoting equity, diversity, and Inclusion in all our practices.
Empathy is key to successful EDI practices, yet it can be limited without broadening our understanding of the differences between groups and individuals. The phrase “I treat others as I want to be treated” is well intentioned, but it overlooks the importance of considering individual preferences and needs. Just as we ask our patients how we can best care for them, we should extend the same respect to our colleagues.
Our EDI priorities focus on enhancing both individual and collective emotional and cultural intelligence. We aim to nurture a more empathetic environment by deepening our knowledge and understanding to ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging, included and empowered.
Inclusion is paramount at GHNHSFT. We actively work to reflect the rich diversity of Gloucestershire in our workforce and tailor our services to meet the specific needs of our local community. Our goal is to foster an environment where our staff, patients, family, and carers feel a sense of belonging and can be their authentic selves. This commitment forms the foundation of our vision and values.
Executive foreword
Claire Radley: Director for People and OD
As we continue our cultural journey, we remain steadfast in our dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Our journey is one of growth and transformation, reflecting our values of Caring, Listening and Excelling, and our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
We have developed a much greater understanding this year, using our data to really highlight the areas that warrant the most attention, and providing us with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges our colleagues still face. Despite these ongoing challenges, the past year has shown small but meaningful improvements in our cultural landscape. We should feel proud that these reflect our collective efforts and dedication to creating a more inclusive workplace, but also cautious because these early improvements risk being fragile.
This report highlights compelling evidence of our commitment to EDI, showcasing the tangible steps we have taken and the progress we are making. It serves as a reflection of our achievements, an acknowledgment of the work that remains, and a roadmap for the future as we strive to build a truly inclusive and equitable environment for everyone.