Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme launched

• Aparna Sreevalsan
• 10 May, 2023

THE NHS launched its 2023/24 Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme on Tuesday (9) to support health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures.

The initiative provides a thorough organisational development strategy that aids organisations in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at work.

Commencing in September 2023, the newly launched programme welcomed applications from the partners to participate.

The programme supports:

• leaders to integrate the latest sustainable diversity and inclusion practices.
• the creation of culturally appropriate and inclusive services to meet the needs of a diverse range of patients and care service users.
• organisations to be the best employers and service providers they can be.
• efforts to achieve the requirements of the NHS and other external benchmarks and standards.

A virtual board member session on the strategic business case for equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I), four in-person interactive modules, and specialised online masterclasses are all included in the one-year programme.

The programme offers thought leadership, resources, and advice to assist in moving firms to the forefront of ED&I practise.

Additionally, the curriculum gives participants access to top industry experts, best practices, guidance, resources, and networking opportunities.

Wasim Mir, EDI advisor, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, also a partner from the 2022/23 programme said: “A fantastic resource to access and be a part of, being able to link in with like-minded individuals, and to learn and share best practice. Highly recommend.”

The NHS has also commenced its Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2023 from Tuesday (9) national campaign for health and care organisations that will run till 12th May 2023.

Now in its eleventh year, it gives health and care groups a chance to promote their efforts to make the NHS more equitable and inclusive for both employees and patients.

Throughout the week, health, and care organisations from across the nation support the campaign and organise events to highlight and honour the fantastic work being done in the areas of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Organisations like NHS trusts (including acute, community, learning disabilities, mental health, ambulance, and integrated care systems); local government organisations; private sector organisations providing health and social care services; voluntary and charity sector organisations, and individuals including board members, equality and diversity leads, human resources professionals, learning and organisational development leads, service improvement, staff-side representatives and project managers are among the audiences.