Article Text
Abstract
Royal Trinity’s mission includes ‘challenging and overcoming barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion’. We want to be an inclusive and fair workplace and service provider where potential can be fulfilled and care delivered, unencumbered by real or perceived barriers relating to protected characteristics, and our uniqueness as individuals.
Our track-record of championing LGBT+ needs in our staff and our patients is well known, but we wanted to go further. ‘Welcoming FREDIE’ benefits our entire workforce by broadening our focus to all protected characteristics and adopting ‘FREDIE’ (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, engagement) as part of the Trinity family, as part of our culture.
Starting in 2018, with our sights set on achieving an Investors in Diversity level 2 accreditation, and with an eye to our staff survey results, our aim was to develop an even happier, more committed workforce that was more comfortable to bring the best version of themselves to work every day, and were more aware of legally protected characteristics in their patients and colleagues and more aware of their own unconscious biases.
Actions have included:
a 20 week programme of internal events and education – ‘FREDIE Fortnights’, dedicating a fortnight to each protected characteristic with another dedicated to mental health;
changes to Trinity’s mandatory e–learning, manager training, and appraisal process
updating policy and strategy documents;
contracting an external helpline for our workforce to report harassment and discrimination.
Impact so far:
In January 2019, Trinity was named number 84 in the National Centre for Diversity’s Investors in Diversity Top 100 Index, the first hospice to be listed in the Index and one of only two healthcare providers nationally;
In June 2019, Trinity was shortlisted for a Nursing Times Workforce Award for ‘Welcoming FREDIE’, and nominated for a National Diversity Award as a community organisation;
Improved staff satisfaction and awareness.