Diversity and inclusion are about recognising that we're all different and have varying needs.
Age, disability, gender reassignment (including non-binary), marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation are some of the factors which can mean that people have different experiences or may face additional barriers and prejudice.
These are ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act (2010). This means it is unlawful to treat someone less favourably because of any of these factors.
We're committed to taking equality, diversity and inclusion into account in everything we do. This includes providing and transforming services, employing people, procuring goods and services, developing policies, communicating, and involving people in our work.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report (PDF: 2.95MB) outlines our strategic objectives for 2021 to 2022. It reflects not only our legal requirements but goes beyond that to reflect our commitment to doing ‘good business’, to harness the benefits of diversity to deliver great services for our customers, and to be a great place to work, by putting our people at the heart of everything we want to do.
How are we doing
- We've been awarded the ‘Gold Standard Employer’ Award by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI), in recognition of our commitment to working inclusively.
- In 2022, we retained our place in the Top 100 in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, and we were named a gold standard employer in recognition of our work on sexual orientation, transgender and gender identity equality.
- We are accredited at Level 3 ‘Disability Confident Leader’, in recognition of our commitment towards disability equality.
- To demonstrate our commitment to recruiting from the Armed Forces, we have pledged to the Step into Health program and have signed the armed forces covenant.
Wellbeing and inclusion impact analysis
We conduct wellbeing and inclusion impact analysis to assess the impact that changes can have on people who access or interact with our services. We carry out our assessments as early as possible in the change process, so we can change the scope and nature of any changes if we need to.
The assessment looks at how changes impact equality groups, the physical and mental wellbeing of our NHSBSA colleagues, and make sure our contracts have social value for the public.
Our assessments make sure that business changes follow the requirements of:
- The Equality Act 2010
- The Public Service Equality Duty
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Social Value Act 2012
- The Modern Slavery Act 2015
To request a copy of any wellbeing and inclusion impact analysis assessments, email nhsbsa.colleagueexperience@nhs.net with the subject header 'WIA Assessment Request'.
