A Year in Review 2023

The NHS Grampian Staff Equalities Network
December 2023 – A year in review

In 2023, NHS Grampian became the first actively antiracist Health Board in Scotland. A platform for this work took place on October the 4th, when colleagues and partners came together for a one-day Celebrating Diversity Festival.  At this event NHS Grampian launched an Anti-Racism Plan, an Anti-Racism Video Statement and the comment to making continued and ongoing progress as a workplace where everyone feels supported, included and empowered.

The NHS Grampian Anti-Racism Plan 2023 - 28 is believed to be the first of its kind among regional Scottish health boards and its launch marks the beginning of a 12-month programme to raise awareness and offer training opportunities to staff and student groups across NHS Grampian sites.

The commitment made means moving from a policy of zero-tolerance towards a culture that actively promotes anti-racism.  Being an anti-racist organisation is not about being free of racism. It is about acknowledging racism and bias exists within ourselves and wider society, and making a commitment to challenge it where ever it is found.

In the coming months staff, partners, students and trainees will learn more about how to support wellbeing, share examples of lived experience, discuss ‘speaking up’ and learn more about key programmes including Unconscious Bias and Active Bystander training.  Awareness raising is a fundamental part of achieving progress, as is giving people a safe space to share their thoughts.

NHS Grampian’s It's ok to talk about race video is another helpful resource that was created to highlight the importance of speaking up, being an active bystander, reporting racist incidents and through sharing the lived experiences of colleagues.

You can also catch some highlights from our first ever Celebrating Diversity Festival in October in the following video:

Thank you to everyone who has supported and been involved in this work, every contribution matters and makes a difference.  I hope you will continue to find ways to be a champion for this work, as a wise man once said "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" (Mahatma Gandhi)

For further information please visit Becoming an Antiracist Health Board (nhsgrampian.org).

 

Published: 16/01/2024 16:11