Mid‐Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust reaps the rewards of diversity

Abstract

PurposeAims to recount how an equality and diversity staff‐development program is helping Mid‐Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust to place increasing value on equality and inclusion, and to reap the rewards of a diverse workforceDesign/methodology/approachContains information from the trust's director of workforce development and Academee, the learning and development specialist closely involved in the program.FindingsFinds that the program has: helped staff to acknowledge any subconscious biases and tendency to stereotype; revealed for employees how to understand the ways in which prejudices can manifest themselves as active discrimination; highlighted any inappropriate actions; and led to sustainable changes in behavior. Reveals that the program has become a key part of induction training for new staff, and also central to customer‐care training, which ensures that staff are increasingly sensitive to meeting the needs of different communities.Originality/valueDemonstrates how the program has helped Mid‐Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust to gain: good basic understanding of the issues and legal requirements related to the subject of equality and diversity; awareness that people being equal does not mean that they are the same as each other, or that their needs are the same; and clear understanding that the trust expects all staff to treat colleagues, patients, carers and visitors with respect and dignity, according to their diverse needs.