Disability Equality at BTHFT – Enable & Inspire Project

WDES – Innovation Fund – “Improving the working lives of NHS Disabled staff”

BTHFT is committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).

It is important that we move beyond just complying with our duties that we are proactive and continually striving to improve – we want to reach a point where equity, diversity and inclusion is evident in all that we do, in our services, our partnership work, and in our employment offer. Our main aim is to raise the profile of Disability Equality across the Trust.

Six contributors came together to share their lived experiences. The project highlights what daily life is like for somebody with a disability; visible or non-visible, have a long term health condition, learning disabilities, and who are carers – (those who experience disability by association).

The focus is on:

  • destigmatising disability and driving up self-declaration rates
  • fostering working environments that are kind, compassionate and inclusive
  • promoting a culture where we bring our whole selves to work
  • generating a better understanding of how disability, long-term health conditions and being a carer truly impact daily lives on a holistic level

We at BTHFT aim to support our staff to work as independently as they choose whatever their ability, offering equality of opportunity with reasonable adjustments and by our Disability Equality and Flexible Working policies.

The Enable & Inspire Innovation Project is led by people with experience of disability; members of our Staff Equality Network – Enable; who in their varying roles are at the heart of our hospital life – spreading awareness, inspiring others, opening doors to opportunity, choice, career development, staff retention and leadership advancement.

Simon Kirk

Simon Kirk

General Manager for
Radiology and Imaging
Clinical Service Unit

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; it’s a condition you’re born with that affects your nerves. This impacts on muscle strength, control and also how you walk.

“There are over a thousand people working in the teams that I lead.”

Sadly, my ward-based nursing career had to end, but I was supported by BTHFT with leadership and management opportunities: I lead two large business units for the Trust, one related to urgent care and the other for elderly care.

Sara Shiroda

Sara Shiroda

Senior EPR Data Quality
Facilitator

“I feel blessed to have joined a compassionate and supportive organisation.”

Anxiety and Depression; part of my condition means that I’m often stuck in “fight or flight” and I have to work really hard to compartmentalise that. It’s like having two sides of my brain at war with each other… it can be hard work but I love my job.

I deliver training about the electronic patient record system, which means getting everyone up to speed on the computer systems that support a patient’s journey through the hospital.

Kez Hyat

Kez Hayat

Head of Equality,
Diversity & Inclusion

Disability by association – Carer.
My son, Hassan… has a rare condition called Alström Syndrome, which means he has full loss of vision, difficulty in hearing and also other conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

“I am so proud of the man that my son has become.”

The NHS’ support has meant I’ve been able to really thrive in my leadership role and also champion the Carers’ Passport, which allows colleagues to have those vital conversations about the flexibility needed to combine work with care. My experience has taught me that it all starts with really disclosing what’s happening for you. It means I’m able to do my job well at work and at home too.

Alison Jacques

Alison Jacques

Staff Nurse

“My new role has changed my life.”

When the shielding rules relaxed, the Trust found me a position working on the Relatives’ Line at St Luke’s Hospital, which was started to keep family and friends in touch with patients when they couldn’t visit. It made such a difference to families during the pandemic. My new role has changed my life.

For 15 years I worked in the theatres in Bradford, but when my rheumatoid arthritis flared up I changed jobs to become an eye day case unit nurse.

When COVID happened, I had to shield because I was vulnerable to infection and my mental health went rapidly downhill.

Aqeel Maqsood

Akeel Maqsood

Project SEARCH Intern

Project SEARCH is an employability programme for young people with learning disabilities.

“An experience of a lifetime.”

Where I am heading is doing an apprenticeship for 18 months with the “Born in Bradford” team. It is going to give me an experience of a lifetime because I have always wanted to work and get paid and to provide for my family in the future.

I feel excited about it.

Jon Prashar

Jon Prashar

Non-Executive Director

“I’m very proud to be part of an organisation that rises continually to the challenge.”

I’m very proud to be part of an organisation that rises continually to the challenge of respecting, valuing and including people from many different backgrounds and perspectives in everything that we do…

… and continually improving the way we offer and deliver services to our patients and communities in Bradford, to make sure we become happier, healthier and at home longer.

The Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES)

The Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) is a set of ten specific measures (metrics) which enables NHS organisations to compare the workplace and career experiences of disabled and non-disabled staff. NHS organisations use the metrics data to develop and publish an action plan. Year on year comparison enables NHS organisations to demonstrate progress against the indicators of disability equality.

Making a difference for disabled staff

The WDES is important, because research shows that a motivated, included and valued workforce helps to deliver high quality patient care, increased patient satisfaction and improved patient safety. The WDES enables NHS organisations to better understand the experiences of their disabled staff and supports positive change for all staff by creating a more inclusive environment for disabled people working and seeking employment in the NHS. (NHS England)

ENABLE Staff Equality Network

Empowering our diverse staff who identify as having any disability or long term health condition to achieve their potential and providing a forum to influence positive change.

Are you interested in joining ENABLE?

ENABLE is for all staff with a disability or long term health condition and those who identify as a carer or ‘disability by association’ who work for the Trust. The group provides a platform for disabled and colleagues with long term health conditions to support one another, share work related experiences and influence the Trust’s EDI agenda.

ENABLE provides:

  • A supportive networking environment
  • A safe, welcoming and respectful space where staff can share their lived experience and ideas for positive change
  • A core group who represent the network at key decision making forums where they can inspire real change
  • Opportunity to influence the Trust’s Disability Equality agenda
  • Celebration of success and contribution to staff development activities
  • A means to identify and combat elements of discrimination and promote Disability Equality
  • Opportunity to act as a consultative body to the Trust on matters relating to Disability Equality

If you are interested in joining, please contact the EDI team

Email: diversity@bthft.nhs.uk
Call: 01274 274048

If you require the brochure in an alternative format please contact the EDI team: diversity@bthft.nhs.uk