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4 May 2010

Trust receives top accolade for equality and diversity

Mid Essex Hospitals, who run Broomfield and St John's hospitals in Chelmsford, has received national recognition for its achievements and development of good practice around equality and diversity in the workplace.

The Trust, is just one of only eight acute trusts nationwide, to have been awarded partner status for 2010/11 by NHS Employers.

Graham Ramsay, Chief Executive of Mid Essex Hospitals, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded partner status by NHS employers.  This is the result of all of the good work that a lot of people at the trust have put into developing the equality and diversity agenda.  This is a great achievement and something that we must continue to build upon.  Despite receiving this recognition we are not complacent, as we know there is still a lot of work to be done around the equality and diversity agenda.”

The award is given by NHS Employers, which represents trusts in England on workforce issues and helps employers to ensure the NHS is a place where people want to work.  It recognises the efforts of staff and management in the area of equality and diversity.  It also enables the trust to acquire best practice support more readily. 

Being a partner means that Mid Essex Hospitals will:

• Support other local trusts on equality issues, by sharing good practice, learning and expertise.
   

• Contribute cases studies that will be published on the NHS Employers website and shared nationally.
   

• Promote equality and diversity and the work of NHS Employers in our region.
   

• Help NHS Employers run regional learning and network events for the service on specific areas of equality and diversity

John Mclellan, Mid Essex Hospital's interim equality and diversity adviser said:” This is very good news for the trust and its staff.  A lot of work has gone into developing the trust’s equality and diversity programme and this is a great encouragement to all involved.”

“The Trust has a single equality scheme that incorporates an activity programme.  It was developed through staff and community consultation and is being brought to life with the same involvement.”  

Carol Baxter, Head of Equality and Diversity at NHS Employers, said: “The evidence that Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust submitted in their application to become an Equality and Diversity Partner demonstrated their enormous commitment to embed equality, diversity and human rights into the core business of its organisation. As one of our partners, the trust will be at the forefront of developing equality, diversity and human rights good practice both within the NHS – and across the wider public sector.”

Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948