About Us
Equality and diversity
The Trust welcomes both the Public Sector Equality Duty and the NHS Equality Delivery System. As an NHS organisation, we are committed to playing our part in delivering a health service where Equality, Diversity and Human Rights are embraced by all, and communicated in the everyday work of our staff.
We are determined that both will result in real outcomes, and practical improvements, in the day to day life and practical experience of all those who come into contact with our services:
• helping all people, whoever they are, to receive high quality health care
• recognising and celebrating the fact that every person is an individual
• making sure every person is treated with dignity and respect
The commitment of our staff will enable us to deliver these outcomes and improvements, and the Trust will provide the leadership, support, and training they need to ensure success.
What is Equality and Diversity?Show [+]Hide [-]
Although sometimes used interchangeably, the terms ‘equality’ and ‘diversity’ are not the same.
Equality is about making sure everyone is treated fairly and given the same life opportunities. It is not about treating everyone the same way, to achieve the same outcomes people may need to be treated differently.
Diversity means ‘difference.’ When it is used in the same context as ‘equality’, it is about recognising and valuing individual as well as group differences. It also means treating people as individuals and placing positive value on diversity both within the community and the workforce.
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to making high quality healthcare available to all the communities it serves and working in partnership with other organizations. We are dedicated to delivering a quality service to all people irrespective of race; sexual orientation; age; disability; religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status.
However the Trust can only provide the best possible care for our patients if we also recognise and meet the diverse needs of our staff. Our aim is to treat all staff as valued and respected individuals and to support equal access to opportunities for development within the Trust.
Our aim is for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights issues to feature in our everyday thinking rather than being an 'added extra'. We have people and groups who have a role in promoting Equality, Diversity and Human Rights in all the work we do.
Involvement and Equality Steering GroupShow [+]Hide [-]
The Involvement and Equality Steering Groups main objectives are to ensure the Trust is compliant with national and local legislation, initiatives, policies and standards and to ensure that involvement and equality is embedded at every level within the organisation.
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights GroupShow [+]Hide [-]
Working in partnership with staff, third sector organisations and other health and public organisations, the group aims to develop, promote and implement best Equality, Diversity and Human Rights practice within the Trust
The Group supports the Newcastle Hospitals to comply with Government Policy and the legal requirements by driving forward and monitoring the objectives within the Equality Strategy and subsequent Equality Delivery System.
Equality and Diversity Board ReportShow [+]Hide [-]
The Newcastle Hospitals report formally to the Trust Board every year on equality and diversity issues. These reports provide a summary of equality and diversity information and work that has been done over the last 12 months or planned for the future.
Equality Strategy - The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustShow [+]Hide [-]
As part of our ongoing commitment to Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, the Trust has an Equality Strategy which encompasses our commitments and activities around all of the various equality strands and related statutory requirements.
The Equality Strategy has been designed in response to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 as an interim strategy whilst consultation and involvement takes place with local people, patients, carers and staff to meet the requirements of the new national NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS). It sets out our bridging strategy between the previous Single Equality Schemes and the Equality Delivery System.
The Equality Strategy is a working document which is managed and overseen by the Trust's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Committee, with a direct reporting path to the Trust Board.
The Equality Strategy sets out our commitment to achieving equality and diversity for our patients, their families and staff. It builds on previous work to develop the Race Equality Scheme, Disability Equality Scheme and Gender Equality Scheme, all previously published on our website. In addition, the Equality Strategy addresses all equality strands as required by the Equality Act 2010.
You can find out more about equality and diversity at the Newcastle Hospitals by clicking on the links at the side of this page.
