Our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all our patients, carers, families and staff are treated with dignity and respect.
The NHS must welcome all, with a culture of belonging and trust. We must understand, encourage and celebrate diversity in all its forms (NHS People Plan 2020).
Our aim is to become a truly inclusive organisation that eliminates the conditions where discrimination occurs. To achieve this, we must commit ourselves to better understand and address all forms of discrimination and inequality. We know this will be a challenging task given the current inequalities faced by our workforce and local communities. We are motivated to make meaningful, long lasting change.
Equality means making sure that everyone has access to the same opportunities. This is not to say that you treat everyone in the exact same manner. Some groups or individuals may need support in different ways in which to access opportunities.
Diversity means considering the differences between people and placing value on those differences. When considering diversity, we’re thinking about representation from people of different backgrounds, identities, and abilities. This includes visible and non-visible characteristics.
Inclusion is defined as an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, valued, accepted and respected of who have the ability to contribute. This concept puts emphasis on the way people feel.
In June 2023, NHS England published the EDI improvement plan which sets out six targeted actions to address direct and indirect prejudice and discrimination. These exist through behaviour, policies, practices and cultures against certain groups and individuals across the NHS workforce.
This plan aims to improve the outcomes, experience and culture for those working in the NHS with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 (although it is not limited to these groups) and links to the NHS people plan.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) high impact actions
Chief executives, chairs and board members must have specific and measurable EDI objectives to which they will be individually and collectively accountable
Embed fair and inclusive recruitment processes and talent management strategies that target under-representation and lack of diversity
Develop and implement an improvement plan to eliminate pay gaps
Develop and implement an improvement plan to address health inequalities within the workforce
Implement a comprehensive induction, onboarding and development programme for internationally-recruited staff
Create an environment that eliminates the conditions in which bullying, discrimination, harassment and physical violence at work occur.
The Trust’s EDI strategy uses the EDI improvement plan as a framework as it is well-researched, collaboratively produced, recognises the complex issue of inequality and how to address this to facilitate meaningful organisational change.
Support for our patients
Our Patient Voice and Involvement team engage with local communities across East Kent, including those who don’t often get their voices heard or may find it harder to get access to NHS services.
We have policies that give guidance to staff on supporting patients and their families. These include:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy for patients, carers and families
Supporting Gender Diverse Patients policy
Accessible Information policy.
If you'd like to read these policies, please email ekhuft.patientvoice@nhs.net to request a copy.
Your can find out more about how we are making hospital services more accessible on the Hospital Accessibility pages.
Contact the Patient Voice and Involvement team
Please email us at: ekhuft.patientvoice@nhs.net
Support for our staff
Staff networks
Our EDI team work closely with the Trust’s five staff networks who are a key part of the EDI strategy. Our networks are:
Ethnic Diversity Engagement Network (EDEN)
LGBTQIA+ Network
Neurodiversity Network
Staff Disability Network
Women’s Network.
Our staff networks provide a forum for individuals to come together, share ideas, raise awareness of challenges and provide support.
Our public duty
The Public Sector Equality Duty came in to force in April 2011 (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). Public authorities like the Ministry of Justice are now required, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010:
(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010;
(b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
(c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
To ensure transparency, and to assist in the performance of this duty, the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 require public authorities to publish:
equality objectives, at least every four years (from 6th April 2012)
information to demonstrate their compliance with the public sector equality duty (from 31st January 2012)
Public sector equality duty - www.gov.uk
More information about the Equality Act and guidance
Government’s Easy Read guide to The Equality Act
Equality Diversity System (EDS)
The Equality Delivery System (EDS) was commissioned by the national Equality and Diversity Council in 2010 and launched in July 2011 to help NHS organisations improve the services they provide for their local communities.
It is designed to provide better working environments, free of discrimination, for those who work in the NHS while meeting the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
See our latest EDS report on our Annual Reports page.
Slavery and human trafficking statement
Aim
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) is committed to equality of opportunity and we believe there is no place in our society for modern slavery and human trafficking. As an organisation we hold a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and breaches in human rights. We have established business and organisation practices internally and with our partners and suppliers externally, to identify, address and prevent this issue in so far as is possible. The Board of Directors has considered and approved this statement and will continue to support the requirements of the legislation.
What is modern slavery?
Slavery is a violation of a person’s human rights. It can take the form of human trafficking, forced labour, bonded labour, forced or servile marriage, descent-based slavery and domestic slavery. A person is considered to be in modern slavery if they are:
1. forced to work through mental or physical threat;
2. owned or controlled by “an employer”, usually through mental or physical abuse;
3. dehumanised, treated as a commodity or sold or brought as “property”;
4. physically constrained or has restrictions placed on their freedom of movement.
Our approach
EKHUFT complies with the NHS England Modern Slavery Statement and anti-slavery programme. We will support our staff to:
1. understand and respond to modern slavery and human trafficking, and the impact that each and every individual working in the NHS can have in keeping present and potential future victims of modern slavery and human trafficking safe;
2. have access to training on how to identify those who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. This training will include the latest information and will help staff develop the skills to support individuals who come into contact with health services;
3. work with NHS funded organisations to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are taken seriously and features prominently in safeguarding work plans;
4. follow our policies on safeguarding and training programmes to ensure that Modern Slavery and human trafficking are integral within the content and staff are directed to support and advice as needed.
Adult Safeguarding
The organisation has in place policies that describe our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking across all areas of activity.
Human Trafficking and Modern slavery guidance is included in the Trust’s Safeguarding Adults Policy 2023.
Staff with direct patient contact (Level 2 adult Safeguarding training) are trained and informed of their responsibility to identify and report any concerns using the Trust’s incident reporting system. Specifically they are taught to look out for sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, spiral fractures and other injuries or disfigurements that would inhibit their ability to work. They are also taught to observe if the patient is never left alone and to gain time alone with the patient so that they can express any concerns in private. Those who do not have English as a first language have access to interpreter services.
The response to Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery is coordinated under the safeguarding adult and/or safeguarding children processes. The Police are the lead agency and staff are directed to the appropriate Home Office website for further information.
A database is kept on all safeguarding alerts and there is a facility to code and identify any such alert as a case of trafficking or modern slavery.
Procurement Services
The Trust has a supply chain that is a combination of Distributors and direct supply arrangements. Where a Distributor (e.g. NHS Supply Chain) or Procurement Hub (e.g. NHS Commercial Solutions) contracts for Goods and Services on behalf of the
Trust, the Trust places the obligation for monitoring compliance with the Modern Slavery Act, on this organisation. The Trust retains responsibility for all its suppliers.
A declaration on Modern Slavery is contained within the Pre-Qualification stage of the procurement process. The Trust’s Procurement Strategy and Policies includes a commitment to the Trust’s obligations under the Care Act (2014) and the Modern Slavery Act (2015) and the actions it will take in its procurement processes. When procuring goods and services, we additionally apply NHS Terms and Conditions (for non-clinical procurement) and the NHS Standard Contract (for clinical procurement). Both require suppliers to comply with relevant legislation.
The department’s senior procurement team are all Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) qualified and abide by the CIPs code of professional conduct. We will train our internal supply chain management team on matters relating to modern slavery and human trafficking. The Trust intranet includes an ethical procurement module which is available to all members of staff.
The Trust has evaluated the risks associated with slavery and human trafficking and identifies them as:
1. Reputational
2. Lack of assurances from suppliers
3. Lack of anti–slavery clauses in contracts
4. Training staff to maintain the trust’s position around anti-slavery and human trafficking.
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our organisation’s slavery and human trafficking statement.
Contact the EDI team
Please email us at: ekhuft.edi@nhs.net