Equality and Diversity
We will address inequalities to improve outcomes and advance equity for people from all communities.
We believe that everyone is entitled to fair and equal services that take account of individual needs and backgrounds. We actively advocate for equality and believe that everyone we come into contact with deserves the same standard of treatment and support. Furthermore, it is essential for us that people using our services, their carers and our employees have opportunities to be involved in shaping how our services develop.
All of our services are working towards reducing inequalities. The Equality & Diversity Team supports this work as well as key projects that will help us ensure we continue to improve the care we provide and the support we provide to our service users, carers, staff, volunteers and experts.
This work is underpinned by principles of:
- Removal of systemic barriers
- Promoting a wider understanding of intersectionality
HPFT was proud to launch our five year Belonging and Inclusion Strategy in 2023. Our Strategy has three key ambitions. We will create an inclusive culture by embedding our just and inclusive culture in compassionate and caring teams where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We will build a diverse workforce representative of our service users and local communities, encouraging and recruiting candidates with different backgrounds. Finally, we will eliminate discrimination, bullying and harassment at work through education, training, and targeted actions.
A number of NHS improvement plans have been published both Nationally and in the East of England Region in response to the ongoing workforce challenges of recruitment and retention. They specifically acknowledge the inequity of day to day experiences across NHS staff groups. These have been used to inform our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy alongside feedback from our NHS annual staff survey, the National Workforce Race and Disability Equality Standards and Gender Pay Gap reporting.
Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity, our Trust aims to create a culture where every service user, staff member, and stakeholder feels valued and respected. By implementing this strategy, the Trust intends to bridge existing gaps in accessibility, representation, and understanding, ensuring that our services are equitable and responsive to the diverse needs of all individuals.
