Being an inclusive place for both patients and staff is something that West London NHS Trust is aiming to always be and in recent years, it has made a firm commitment to achieving this.
The Trust, which provides a range of children and adult care and support including mental health and community services to residents in Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, as well as running the high secure Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire, has been pro-active in its approach and initiatives.
From showing to its staff and patients that it is a safe environment regardless of background, through to recognising areas where it needs to improve, West London NHS Trust has made major steps to become a place for all and a place to be proud to work at.
EALING.NEWS spoke to Adebayo Tijani, head of equality, diversity and inclusion to find out more about what it means and how they do it.
How important is it to have the inclusivity at work and how do you benchmark yourselves to other NHS Trusts?
At West London NHS Trust, we believe that inclusivity is vital in creating a positive workplace culture. Achieving the Stonewall bronze accreditation and implementing our NHS Rainbow Badge scheme are just two of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
We regularly benchmark ourselves against other NHS Trusts to identify areas for improvement and ensure that we remain leaders in EDI. Our actions include unconscious bias training, improving accessibility, and promoting staff networks.
What actions do you do to ensure there is inclusivity?
Over the years, we have made significant progress in how we approach inclusivity, including the introduction of the NHS Rainbow Badge scheme, which has been successful in promoting a safe and welcoming environment for our LGBTQ+ staff and patients.
How has the trust improved how it deals with inclusivity over the years?
We are proud of our commitment to EDI, our Stonewall accreditation, and the success of our Rainbow Badge scheme. We are also proud of our work on mental health, supporting staff wellbeing, and ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities.
What challenges are there to still be overcome and how will the trust overcome those challenges?
Despite our progress, there are still challenges to overcome, including addressing inequalities for people from ethnic minority backgrounds and improving accessibility for staff and patients with disabilities. We are committed to overcoming these challenges by listening to feedback, engaging with our communities, and continuously improving our policies and practices.
What do you most enjoy about your role at the trust?
As the Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, I am passionate about promoting a positive culture of inclusivity and ensuring everyone feels valued and supported at work. It is inspiring to see the positive impact our work has on our staff and patients, and I am proud to be part of a team that is leading the way in EDI.
