Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Anti-Racism Statement is built on the work and draft statements by the NHS England Northwest Region with the Integrated Care Boards and NHS Trusts across the Northwest.
We are committed to becoming an Anti-Racist organisation and will take a strategic approach to embed equity and inclusion. We will improve the experiences of our Black and Ethnic Minority patients and staff, which will ultimately improve the patient care we provide and improve the experiences of our workforce. We are currently implementing the Northwest BAME Assembly Anti-Racist Framework, a key driver to us becoming Anti-Racist. We will use our resources and partnerships effectively to influence and collaborate with others, challenging each other to eradicate racism in our organisations.
What is Racism and what it means to be Anti-Racist
Racism is discrimination and prejudice perpetuated by an individual, community or organisation towards an individual on the grounds of their race or ethnic group. It’s marginalisation of individuals based on their race or ethnic background, which affects Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Racism is overt (racial comments) or covert (micro-aggressions). Racism is very harmful, and can make an individual feel stressed, victimised and depressed.
Being Anti-Racist is actively recognising and opposing racism, it involves taking action to address systemic racism. Understanding individual differences forms part of becoming anti-racist, it involves being open to learn, reflect and changing behaviours.
Although this is an anti-racism statement, we acknowledge individuals make up of several facets and discriminatory practice also affects other characteristics such as religion, disability, sexual orientation, belief and gender.
What we know
In the NW Region we are aware that a higher proportion of patients from some Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are more likely to experience health inequalities and risk having poorer access to healthcare. WRES Data also tells us that staff from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds are more likely to enter formal disciplinary processes, lack opportunities for career progression, and more likely to experience bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, relatives and the public. This is not acceptable, we must eradicate all forms of racism and health inequalities, by becoming Anti-Racist we will address inequity at root cause. To achieve this, we will be open and honest regarding our findings, and we will work with our staff networks, patients and the wider community.
What we plan to do
We will not be afraid to address systemic racism within WCHC. We are aligning this statement with our WCHC values, the North West BAME Assembly Anti-Racism Framework, the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, the NHS EDI Improvement Plan and the NHS People Plan and Promise. Staff will be encouraged to speak up safely without fear of reprisal; staying silent should not be the chosen option. Patients, staff, and leaders should be able to identify, discuss and challenge racism. We will change policies and practices, taking measurable actions to support this work. We will eradicate the behaviours and beliefs perpetuating racism in alignment with our Behavioural Standards Framework.
Our commitment is to develop a Trust where everyone’s culture and difference is celebrated, where racism is not tolerated, and patients and staff do not experience discrimination in any form. As a Trust we are united in opposing and dismantling racism in all its forms, creating a welcoming and supportive environment where colleagues’ careers flourish, and we are relentless in reducing health inequalities by improving access, experience and outcomes.
How will we drive this?
- We will take action to tackle racism and wider health inequalities that affect our patients and staff
- We will align to a consistent approach across the North West Region
- Senior Leaders will be held accountable, key processes will be introduced to ensure there is a strategic approach to measure improvements.
- We will develop and embed robust mechanisms for our patients and staff to speak up
- We will seek to understand the lived experience of our patients and staff (listening and learning with regular engagement sessions)
- We will tackle and diminish inequalities
- We will grow and develop inclusive leaders
- We will regularly measure progress, setting clear trajectories
