The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is the first NHS Trust to have signed up to UNISON’s new Anti-Racism Charter, which aims to help tackle racism in the public sector. The charter commits organizations and their leaders to a raft of pledges designed to prevent all forms of conscious or unconscious racial bias.
This includes championing a racially diverse workforce, recognizing the impact of racism on staff well-being and regularly reviewing its strategies to improve racial equality, diversity and inclusion so that the organization reflects the communities it serves.
Anti-racism program
The charter also states that organizations should have a clear and visible anti-racism program in place, while unconscious bias training should be provided for all staff and robust equality training for managers.
Organizations will also report on their ethnicity pay gaps and monitor disciplinary and grievance processes to ensure outcomes are fair.
Eliminating discrimination
Signing this charter is important for making EEAST a better place to work and receive care
Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “I am delighted that EEAST is among the first NHS trusts to have signed this important Anti-Racism Charter. It underlines our commitment to eliminating discrimination in all forms at the Trust."
He adds, “Signing this charter is an important part of our inclusion work as we work to make EEAST a better place to work and receive care.”
A fair workplace
Paramedic and UNISON EEAST Chair - Glenn Carrington said: “Official figures show that Black and ethnic minority employees often have a different experience to their white colleagues, even in the public sector. By signing this charter, the ambulance service is making a real commitment to tackling the disparities which exist between different groups."
He adds, “A fairer workplace is a better workplace so by actively combatting discrimination, EEAST will be ensuring a better ambulance service for people across the east of England.”