[U]niversity Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has been named as the eighth most inclusive employer in the UK, in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list.
The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers showcases leading organisations working across all strands of diversity, and provides a definitive list of UK based
organisations that promote inclusion across all protected characteristics, throughout each level of employment within an organisation.
In partnership with Rullion, The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List honours those organisations that promote all strands of diversity including Age, Disability, Gender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Race, Faith and Religion; with representation at management, senior, executive and board level.
Paul Sesay, Founder and Chief Executive of The Inclusive Top 50 UK said: “The most successful and prosperous employers understand the value and rewards of harnessing diverse talent. Those featured on the definitive list of the UK’s most inclusive employers are leading the way in providing inclusive workplaces where everyone feels empowered to be the very best they can be.”
Gillian Day, Inclusion and Diversity Advisor, UHMBT, said: “We are thrilled to have been named eighth most inclusive employer and the top NHS organisation. This achievement reflects all the hard work we have been doing to make our Trust more inclusive.
“High level achievements include:
- Communications structure and process for inclusion and diversity is now firmly in place
- Board support for this strategically important agenda is well established
- The Behavioural Standards Framework and the RESPECT initiatives which support the positive staff experience have been further embedded
- Relationships with external advisory bodies such as Stonewall, BAPIO and ENEI have been consolidated
“Significant work and actions have taken place to improve our patient experience which has been supported largely by our Equality of Access Group. Highlights have included:
- Site accessibility plans
- Better services for children at A&E
- Utilisation of the readers panel
- New interactive patient ID panels
“Finally, there is also the significant contribution by our staff networks, which have presented our staff with the opportunity to develop equality of opportunity, provided opportunity for social interaction, peer and personal support and also to contribute to the development of policies and working practices.”
In 2017/18 other networks will develop and/or evolve in the following areas – Forces; Age; Gender; Faith.
The last 12 months have seen UHMBT receive a number of other awards, including a Silver Standard by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion, a finalist place in the ENEI Network of the Year awards for our LGBT network and finalist in the 2017 Personnel Today Awards for Engagement and Public Sector HR Team.
Gertie Nic Philib, Deputy Director of Workforce, UHMBT, said: “We are very proud that we have once again been named in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, and to come eighth in that list (and the highest ranking NHS provider) is even better. The achievement recognises the outstanding efforts of our staff to make our Trust a better place to work in and be treated, regardless of who you are and what you believe.
“Our ambition is to keep attracting and retaining a truly diverse workforce and these achievements helps to show us that we are on the right track. Well done to everyone!”
