Advancing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in GMMH: Our Vision and Actions
In celebration of Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Week 2021 , taking place from the 10th – 14th May, we are pleased to share our latest Equality, Diversity and Inclusion blog.
Equality of access to high quality, evidence-based care and good outcomes is integral to the vision of the NHS and of our Trust. However, we know that we have a way to go to making this vision a reality. We have known for some time about inequalities based on age, gender, ethnicity, general health, how much we earn, and where we live – often called the ‘social determinants of health’. These issues affect both physical health and mental health.
Determined efforts to eradicate inequalities in health and wellbeing could not be more timely. Over 70 years on from the establishment of the NHS, in 1948, widespread inequalities persist despite equity being enshrined in law. Under the Equality Act (2010), institutions like the NHS have a Public Sector Equality Duty to eradicate inequalities experienced by people across a range of Protected Characteristics like age, disability, race and religion from discrimination and harassment.
What is GMMH doing to tackle inequalities?
Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMH) has funded the establishment of a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Research Unit (EDI-RU). The new EDI-RU will be led by Professor Dawn Edge and colleagues from The University of Manchester: Professors Alys Young, John Keady, James Nazroo and Drs Katherine Rogers and Sarah Peters. The Unit will take an intersectional, life-course approach to researching inequalities in mental and physical health. Alongside improving care and outcomes for service users and their families, the EDI-RU will support staff to become research active. The EDI-RU will work closely with existing Research Units, producing sector-leading research to:
- Eradicate inequalities experienced by under-served, marginalised communities.
- Improve outcomes where mental and physical health and social care meet by promoting fair access to evidence-based care and encouraging innovation in service delivery.
- Encourage staff, service users, and carers from groups with low participation in research to get involved in designing, delivering, and evaluating research as well as being participants.
- Contribute to educating and training mental health staff to enhance their knowledge about EDI and develop expertise in everyday clinical practice.
- Foster diversity and inclusion in patient and public engagement in research within the Trust and the communities that we serve.
In addition to working closely with other Trust research units, the EDI-RU will work collaboratively with the GMMH BAME Network. Tracy Tsikai, Acting Chair for the BAME Network says:
“The Trust's investment in this Research Unit is a big statement of their commitment to doing more for equality, diversity and inclusion. The EDI-RU will give us an opportunity to influence change and improve outcomes for both patients and staff. Imagine what a difference it would make if the staff who work directly with patients day-to-day, and who understand the needs of their patients, as well as their own, have more involvement in research. It would help shape the care we deliver in a positive way and improve staff experiences of working in the NHS. What will make it worthwhile is if we, as health professionals, now do our part and get involved. I am really looking forward to the BAME Staff network getting involved and working with the EDI-RU closely.”
The EDI-RU’s aims align with GMMH’s Equality Objectives 2019-2021 and the Trust’s commitment to ensuring that EDI is integral to its policies, procedures, and Research and Innovation (R&I). GMMH’s two-year EDI Strategy is up for renewal this year and is designed to support the Trust to:
- Meet its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010
- Incorporate the mandatory requirements for the Equality Diversity System 2 (EDS2)
- Enact Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES)
- Ensure compliance with Accessible Information Standards
Investment in the new EDI Research Unit is a significant part of the Trust’s commitment to taking EDI issues seriously in patient care, staff development, and serving our communities.
What else is the Trust doing to advance EDI?
GMMH has recently the appointed a new Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Cath Prescott joins us from The University of Manchester where she has worked as an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion specialist since 2006. Speaking about her new role with the Trust, Cath said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust and I'm looking forward to working with staff, service users, and community groups to co-create an inclusive and accessible environment where people feel they belong and are valued. The establishment of the EDI-RU provides an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure research and innovation is turned into effective practice, creating positive cultural change across the organisation.”
The Trust is also one of four national pilot sites for the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF). The framework will allow us to work directly with ethnically diverse groups to ensure that their experiences and feedback drive the changes we aim to implement within our services. The first phase of the development of this framework is to gather feedback from across all our communities.
We are collecting responses to ‘Improving Black, Asian and minority ethnic community experiences of mental health services’ questionnaire until 30 June 2021. You can fill out the questionnaire here: https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/survey/aafa6e67/ There will also be other opportunities to contribute so watch this space…
In addition to the Trust’s commitment to improving service user and carer experience, we are also committed to developing our staff. Through our Opening Opportunities programme, the Trust support aspiring, new and existing leaders, with disabilities or from minority ethnic backgrounds, and are actively seeking opportunities for career progression.
Although there is a lot of work to be done, the Trust is committed and hopeful for an equal, diverse and inclusive future in mental health care. The EDI-RU and our other Trust initiatives are the first steps in working together towards this future. Professor Edge says,
“After decades of EDI in health and care being on the margins, we have a once in a generation opportunity to place it at the heart of how we care. Together, we can improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities; making the original vision of the NHS a reality in Greater Manchester and beyond.”
