Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust shortlisted for national company award

More than 64,000 people and organisations were nominated this year and 126 nominees are being recognised for their various achievements nation-wide.

UHMBT is the only shortlisted NHS Trust and the winners will be announced at an event at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Friday February 26.

The Trust is already the highest-ranking public sector organisation in the ‘Inclusive Companies’ membership organisation’s ‘Inclusive Top 50 Employers List’, featuring in 10th place.

Inclusive Companies organises the NDAs and exists to challenge the lack of diverse representation within UK organisations and to assist employers in fostering a truly inclusive environment within which they recognise and value the differences of each employee.

Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of UHMBT’s ‘People Strategy’ – ‘Creating a Great Place to Work and a Great Place to be Cared For’ – for every individual.

The Trust works with colleagues to understand and learn from lived experience, quantitative data and qualitative feedback.

It also takes action to address inequalities such as implementing evidence-based best practice and creating a place of belonging for everyone. Please see the link at the end of this story to view the strategy.

UHMBT’s commitment to being inclusive and valuing diversity takes many forms.

One example is the Trust’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME).

This network aims to create a supportive working environment for BAME colleagues and encourages all staff to understand the needs of the BAME community.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Trust has been supporting BAME colleagues with the latest advice and guidance as well as practical help with health-related matters.

Another example is UHMBT’s Disability Staff Network (DSN) which is open to all employees, volunteers and students with a disability as well as colleagues who want to help support people with a disability.

This network aims to make sure that the Trust is a safe and inclusive environment for people with different disabilities and encourages all staff to understand the needs of individuals.

A further example is the Trust’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) staff network aims to maintain a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues and make sure that all staff understand the needs of LGBT individuals.

This group also makes sure that policies and decisions made across the Trust consider the LGBT community and provides confidential support and advice to all staff.

The Trust has ‘Respect Champions’ who voluntarily carry out their role alongside their contracted post.

Coming from all disciplines and sites within the Trust, their primary role is to provide confidential support for colleagues who feel they are victims of bullying, harassment or incivility.

UHMBT is committed to the national Personal, Fair, Diverse (PFD) campaign which means that the Trust is passionate about making sure that the NHS provides personal, fair and diverse services and support for staff and patients.

UHMBT also has around 100 PFD Champions who help to support other staff with things like raising concerns and being a voice for others who might find it difficult to be heard.

UHMBT has many more inclusivity and diversity initiatives. To read more about diversity and inclusivity at UHMBT, please go to the link at the end of this story.

Karmini McCann, Head of Engagement and Inclusion for the People and Organisational Development team at UHMBT, said: “The shortlisting is good news for everyone at our Trust who has been working hard on being inclusive and enhancing diversity.

“This work has only been possible due to the commitment of our staff and inclusion networks. We still have a lot more to do and are committed to eliminating discrimination, reducing health inequalities, promoting equal opportunities and respect for all of our colleagues and patients.”

Sally Fenton (Senior Clinical Coder) chair Disability Staff Network, said: “It’s a great accolade that UHMBT have been shortlisted for the National Diversity awards.

"The Disability Staff Network has flourished with the support of the trust; we have been supported to make physical changes to buildings, purchase enabling software and host a conference.

"On a national level the network has been involved in the development of the Workforce Disability Equality Standard. All of the networks at UHMBT have made great strides towards improving colleague experience; recognition of this is the icing on the cake.”

Lakshmi Patil, BAME Network Chair, said: "I would like to thank the colleagues in our network who have worked so hard this year to support one another, engage with allies, and create positive change towards race equality. Their incredible persistence and dedication will have a lasting impact, and will make a difference to colleagues for years to come."

Paul Sesay, Founder and CEO of the National Diversity Awards, added: “During difficult and challenging times, it is now more important than ever to recognise our country’s true role models. Congratulations to all of our shortlisted nominees. It is an honour to recognise your fearlessness, resilience and humanitarian efforts.”

To view a full list of nominees please visit: https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/shortlist/

For more information on UHMBT’s inclusion and diversity work, please click on this link: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/our-trust/inclusion-and-diversity

For more information on UHMBT and Inclusive Companies, please click on this link: https://www.inclusivecompanies.co.uk/casestudies/universityhospitalsofmorecambebaynhsfoundationtrust/.