Equality, Diversity and Inclusion reports
We have a number of initiatives and channels in place to support our staff, including our Diversity Champions, Staff Networks and Freedom to Speak Up Guardians. You can find out more below:
Staff Networks
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment by striving to build a workforce which is valued and whose diversity reflects the communities it serves. We believe that this commitment will lead to improved services for our patients and greater equality in opportunities for our staff.
Our staff networks meet regularly and offer advice and support to staff. The networks also help to shape and contribute towards the Trust’s equality and diversity agendas.
Our Ability Staff Network is a forum to support staff who identify as having a long-term mental or physical health condition or a disability, and for colleagues who wish to support members as an ally. The group aims to provide a friendly and confidential safe space to share experiences and help to promote positive change within the organisation, such as the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. The network meets regularly and offers a one-to-one drop-in service for any staff who would like support with any issues, in a more private setting.
BADEN Staff Network is dedicated to promoting an inclusive workplace. It supports staff from minority backgrounds, fostering engagement and addressing issues of race equality. The network organises various activities and serves as a key resource for members. Its primary goals are to enhance understanding of race-related matters and ensure representation in organisational decisions. The network also liaises with the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee to report on its progress and initiatives.
Email: khft.
The MEND Staff Network aims to promote race equality and institutional cultural change in the medical workforce. The network challenges racial inequalities and supports the implementation of the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard. MEND provides a safe space for colleagues, offers mentorship, and works closely with leadership to influence positive change.
Email: khft.
PRIDE Together is a forum that supports the LGBTQ+ community and allies amongst Kingston Hospital and HRCH staff. The group aims to provide a friendly and confidential safe space to share experiences and help to promote positive change within the organisation; meeting regularly and hosting social events outside of work. The network supported the launch of the NHS Rainbow Badges in 2020 – staff can make a pledge to be a champion of LGBTQ+ inclusion and to proudly wear the NHS Rainbow Badge pin.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions
The Trust has recruited and trained Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champions to drive behavioural change across the organisation. They are passionate about helping create a fair and accepting culture where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Our EDI Champions promote the Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda within their workplace and providing clear, informed, and sensitive advice to colleagues when highlighting inequalities and signposting through to appropriate support channels available. They help to increase diversity knowledge through promotion of educational sessions on issues such as anti-racism, unconscious bias, hidden disability awareness and much more.
Initiatives and events
We are proud to support a number of key campaigns, initiatives and events in our Trust. Click below to find out more:
We are committed to offering practical support for patients and the families of patients who are veterans or serving in the UK armed forces.
Our Chief Executive Jo Farrar signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantages in the provision of services, and that, in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Further information and support
- The Royal British Legion offers lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
- SSAFA, the armed forces charity offers welfare support to people in the armed forces, veterans and their families.
- Combat Stress offers mental health support to veterans.
- Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) supports people in the armed forces and veterans when they’re staying in hospital.
A full list of the support available to people in the armed forces and their families is available on the Confederation of Service Charities website.
The Rainbow badge initiative was first launched at the Trust in 2020 and with the support of our Pride Together staff network, continues to grow support.
The Rainbow Badge initiative gives healthcare staff a way to show that their place of work offers open, non-judgmental and inclusive care for all who identify as LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, the + simply means inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves).
The initiative originated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital - its simple objective is to make a positive difference by promoting a message of inclusion.
The Trust became a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme in 2022. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower’s aim is to raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by individuals who live with an invisible disability and to provide support and training opportunities to individuals and organisations. It launched in the UK in 2016 as a symbol to discreetly indicate to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they need additional support, help or a little more time.
Since the Sunflower was established, it has been adopted globally by organisations to support both their colleagues and customers.
We aim to educate all staff on why someone, staff or patients, may wear a Sunflower lanyard or pin badge, what constitutes as a hidden disability and what can we do to help support them. We hope that by raising awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities, we can create a culture of acceptance and compassion. We also hope that this will encourage staff to feel secure is disclosing disabilities and in turn help to better identify the needs of our workforce or areas where we need to improve.
We launched the See Me First campaign at the Trust to embrace and celebrate the racial diversity of our workforce and the communities we serve across our partnership. We want to create a fair and inclusive workplace and a safe and respectful environment for all our staff and patients, where we treat each other with compassion and kindness.