At ELFT, our purpose is to improve the quality of life for the people and communities we serve. We know that racism and racial inequality can affect people’s health, experiences of care, working lives and sense of safety and belonging. Tackling racial inequality is therefore central to the kind of organisation we want to be.
The Anti-Racism Plan brings together the work taking place across the Trust, including our services, workforce, leadership, policies and decision-making, with clear actions and accountability for change.
The Plan recognises that racism is experienced in different ways. It includes a continued focus on tackling anti-Black racism, alongside a commitment to addressing antisemitism, anti-Muslim hostility and other forms of racism and racial discrimination.
It also builds on important work already underway across ELFT, including the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), which helps us understand and address racial inequalities in the experiences of our workforce, and the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), which supports us to identify and tackle inequalities in access, experience and outcomes for service users and carers.
The Plan has been shaped by the experiences and feedback of staff, service users, carers and local communities, alongside data that highlights where inequalities continue to exist.
Tanya Carter, Chief People Officer, said: "Our Anti-Racism Plan is about turning our commitment into action. We know that tackling racism requires honesty, accountability and partnership with our staff, service users, carers and communities. This plan sets out how we will work together to create fairer experiences and better outcomes for everyone who comes into contact with our services."
Claire McKenna, Chief Nurse and Lead for Peer Support and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), said: "We know that racism has a real impact on people's health, wellbeing and experience of care. As clinicians, we see every day the importance of creating environments where people feel respected, heard and valued.
"Our Anti-Racism Plan and Charter is an important step in strengthening our commitment to equity, inclusion and culturally responsive care. By listening to the experiences of our staff, service users, carers and communities, and by holding ourselves accountable for change, we can help ensure better experiences and outcomes for everyone."
Publishing the Plan marks an important milestone, but it is only the beginning. The Trust's focus is now on delivering meaningful action and ensuring accountability for change.
ELFT will continue to use data, lived experience and feedback to understand whether its work is making a difference, while being transparent about progress and areas where further improvement is needed.
What does this mean for service users and carers?
The Anti-Racism Plan strengthens ELFT's commitment to reducing racial inequalities in healthcare. Through ongoing work, including the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), the Trust will work alongside service users, carers and communities to improve access to services, experiences of care and health outcomes.
Find out more
The full Anti-Racism Plan and supporting resources are available on the ELFT Anti-Racism webpage.
We encourage staff, service users, carers and community members to read the Plan, learn more about our commitments and continue sharing their feedback and experiences as we take this work forward together.
Read the Anti-Racism Plan and visit the Anti-Racism webpage.
Speaking up and accessing support
If you have experienced or witnessed racism, we encourage you to seek support or raise your concerns. You do not have to go through your line manager if you would prefer another route.
Support is available through the below:
- Freedom to Speak Up Guardians - Anita Hynes
- Email: elft.freedomtospeakup@nhs.net
- Tel: 07436 02738
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Helpline: 0800 882 4102 (available 24/7)
- Online portal: app.pamwellness.co.uk
- Organisation code: elfteap
- RaCE Staff Network
- Email: elft.raceleadsupport@nhs.net
- EDI Team
- Email: elft.edi-team@nhs.net