Group shortlisting at the APNA Awards for anti-racism programme of work
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) formed a group arrangement in 2021. From day one, the Group has been on a journey to become anti-racist organisations.
The Together Against Racism programme of work is one of our joint priorities across LPT and NHFT. By working together, both Trusts have committed to developing an overarching vision to tackle racism and discrimination proactively, and with a joint approach.
The programme of work is ongoing but the positive impact it has made since its launch has been recognised by the Asian Professionals National Alliance (APNA) NHS awards where the Group has been announced as a finalist for the ‘Trust/ICB of the Year - Promoting ED&I Agenda’ award.
Together Against Racism focuses work around three pillars: workforce; patients and service users; and community. Working groups for each of these pillars collaborate to develop and implement action plans. The pillars are committed to improving standards to levels suitable for organisations aspiring to be anti-racist.
Together Against Racism initiatives that have launched so far in NHFT include our inclusive recruitment training and toolkit; our dedicated Career Development workshops and Talent Matters programme for team members of ethnic and cultural minority backgrounds, and our Say No to racism reporting process. We are currently closing reviewing this process. We are also reviewing our recruitment policies and processes, to ensure inclusive best practice is embedded and confirmed.
The pillars focussed on patients, service users and community partnerships are working on implementing the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) and improving access to involvement for service users from ethnic minority groups. In addition, Board members of both LPT and NHFT made anti-racism pledges that have been embedded into their appraisal process, ensuring the pledges led to meaningful actions.
All of this work could not have been achieved without the valuable input, support and feedback provided by both Trusts’ Race Equality And Cultural Heritage (REACH) staff networks. Whilst we are proud of the progress we have made so far, we are clear that our work is not done, and we will continue to progress towards anti-racism together.
The impact of the programme of work can be felt across both Trusts and sends a clear message. Highlights include an increase in the Ethnic Cultural Minority (ECM) workforce, including at some of our most senior levels.
The award ceremony is taking place on Friday 13 September.