NHS Race Equality Award

HSJ Awards 2024 - NHS Race Equality Award
NHS Race Equality Award
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Ethnic and racial differences are evident in relation to access, experience and outcome in areas that span perinatal health to end of life care, with these disparities being set against higher prevalence of numerous health conditions, including specific cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental ill health in ethnic minority populations across our country.

At the same time, we also know that ethnic minority healthcare staff do not always get the best experience or opportunities in the workplace. Nearly one in every four members of the NHS workforce are from an ethnic minority background, yet there is a lack of representation on boards and at senior levels. Ethnic minority staff are more likely to enter formal disciplinary procedures, and are more likely report experiences of discrimination at work.

This award recognises initiatives which either:

  • identify and tackle ethnic health inequalities for patients and communities; OR
  • promote race equality and inclusion within the workplace

A wide variety of ideas are being adopted across the NHS to tackle ethnic health disparities and to drive the inclusion agenda, including:

  • Policies and strategies to identify and close the gaps in health inequalities between ethnic minority groups and the majority population
  • Culturally sensitive interventions to improve access, experience and outcomes within specific areas, specialisms or care pathways
  • Workplace interventions to close the gaps in racial inequalities in recruitment, progression, disciplinary action, experiences of bullying and harassment, representation at senior levels of the organisation
  • Reviewing and revising policies and practices within the workplace to help promote inclusivity and equity for all

Tackling ethnic health inequalities is a critical step to ensuring everyone in society can live full and healthy lives regardless of their background. We also know that those NHS organisations that embrace workplace inclusion are more likely achieve higher levels of staff satisfaction, a positive working culture, improved patient experiences and outcomes, and organisational efficiency.

Judges are looking for initiatives which can show tangible results and progress in areas such as: identification and tackling ethnic health inequalities for patients and communities; strategic and practical approaches towards the reduction of bullying and harassment, disciplinary action for ethnic minority healthcare staff; clear and evidenced career progression.

Eligibility

All NHS organisations including NHS Trusts, partnerships, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), General Practice and primary care organisations.

Ambition

  • Outline ethnic inequalities that are of concern to your organisation
  • What do your data and evidence say about: (i) the level of ethnic health inequalities for the patients and diverse communities served by the organisation OR (ii) the experience of ethnic minority staff within your organisation using staff surveys, WRES data, testimonial and other sources
  • What did you set out to achieve? Describe the initiative
  • What were your measures of success, providing detail on the benchmarks used?

Outcome

  • Judges are looking for quantitative evidence of: (i) identifying and tackling ethnic health inequalities OR (ii) improvements in workforce race equality including in relation to improving experience and opportunity
  • Describe how the initiative was implemented to achieve these results
  • Provide testimonial evidence supporting your work
  • Include detail of sustained improvement in patient access, experience, outcomes; in patient satisfaction scores, staff survey/FFT results, WRES data etc. over time

Spread

  • How has this initiative been rolled out across your organisation/system?
  • What efforts have been made to share your best practice examples with others across the NHS?
  • Provide evidence to support the sharing of your achievements and outcomes

Value

  • How has your work contributed to improvements in: (i) patient access/satisfaction/outcomes OR (ii) staff culture?
  • Judges will be looking for clear examples of the initiative benefiting individuals and their experience as patients or staff
  • Provide evidence where possible that your initiative has had a positive impact on patients and their friends and families
  • Provide evidence of any other positive impacts on staff or the organisation which could include a reduction in complaints and legal procedures
  • Describe how the initiative will support organisational efficiency

Involvement

  • Describe how the organisation worked directly with diverse patients/communities, or representatives and senior leaders in the assessment, design, implementation and review of the initiative
  • Judges will be looking for direct evidence of a consultative approach ensuring that ethnic minority staff were at the centre of any change
  • Judges will also be looking for patient consultation and engagement that has been both meaningful and sustained

NHS Race Equality Award

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