For National Inclusion Week, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED) team have spoken to colleagues in the Cancer and Clinical Support division and on Tulip Ward to find out what inclusion meant to them. 

There are great examples of inclusive practice across our Trust. Contact the EDI team by email if you would like to share your team’s good work. 

Cancer and Clinical Support: 

The senior team and colleagues within Cancer and Clinical Support are brilliant supporters of inclusion and our Staff Networks. The Divisional Director of Healthcare Professionals, Clare Bailey, has undertaken a rigorous White Allies Programme and Divisional Manager, Jeff Middleditch, has hosted the LGBT+ Network Chairs at their senior management meeting. 

Reporting Radiographers Team: 

“Diversity and inclusion are by default interconnected. Like a child’s see-saw, there can be no organisational balance if you have one but not the other. 

In the Reporting Radiographer Team we are proud to be a diverse bunch with our different nationalities, beliefs, ages and life experiences but are we inclusive? 

If inclusivity means having a safe space to express yourself and be creative, then yes, we are. If inclusivity means you can have comfortable conversations with each other, have each other’s back and rely on each other then yes!  

Inclusivity for the Reporting Team means that you can be your best self and get the job done for the Trust to your best ability but also be great fellow humans.  

It’s about having respect and understanding of each other uniqueness.” 

Stuart McCaighy, Specialty Manager for Haematology, Oncology and Palliative Care Services: 

“Inclusion means feeling free to be who I truly am at work, to be comfortable talking about my husband, to confidently wear my LGBT+ rainbow NHS badge so others know they are able to come to me and talk about LGBT+ topics, and to see that my needs as a minority staff member are taken seriously by my employer.” 

Abdul-Karim Conteh, Radiographer (Plain Film):

“I feel inclusiveness is about ‘valuing everyone’s contribution towards a common goal and not feeling victimised, intimidated or ostracised for speaking up.” 

Anonymous:

“Inclusion involves trust - that your colleagues will consider and treat you equally, will understand and appreciate your differences. We as individuals have a duty to ensure that that trust is repaid with actions to support inclusion.” 

Tulip Ward: 

We spoke with Lisa Pape from Tulip Ward on the Goodmayes site, who shared about the excellent sense of inclusion and belonging they have fostered.  

Lisa explained that the team had recently expanded to support surgical pre-assessment and that the team hired were very diverse, including many international nurses. To Lisa, inclusion means “respecting and including everyone.” This is positive because it means that the workforce is reflective of the communities we serve and that people with all protected characteristics are enabled to contribute to the NHS. Lisa remarked that the team are fully established but that word has got out about their positive workplace culture and so she regularly receives enquiries about upcoming positions! 

This positive culture is largely down to the visible and friendly leadership styles of the management team on Tulip Ward, according to Lisa. They host regular tea and cake sessions and celebrate people’s successes regularly, promoting team wellbeing and cohesion. 

Tulip Ward is a great example of how having a positive working environment translates into excellent patient care. The ward has over 95% patient satisfaction. 

Congratulations, Tulip Ward, and happy National Inclusion Week!