Equality and diversity

Equality and Diversity

As an NHS organisation we are committed to playing our part in delivering a health service where equality, diversity and human rights are embraced and communicated in the everyday work of our staff.

Our aim is to:

• Help everyone, whoever they are, to receive health care
• Recognise and celebrate the fact that every person is an individual
• Make sure every person is treated with dignity and respect

Our staff are highly skilled and come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Placing a real value on diversity not only enables County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to recruit and retain the best staff but ensures we deliver outcomes and improvements to service delivery.

What is Equality and Diversity?

Although sometimes used interchangeably, the terms 'equality' and 'diversity' are not the same.

Equality is about making sure everyone is treated fairly and given the same life opportunities. It is not about treating everyone the same way, to achieve the same outcomes people may need to be treated differently.

Diversity means 'difference.' When it is used in the same context as 'equality', it is about recognising and valuing individual as well as group differences. It also means treating people as individuals and placing positive value on diversity both within the community and the workforce.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to making high quality healthcare available to all the communities it serves and working in partnership with other organisations. We are dedicated to delivering a quality service to all people irrespective of race; sexual orientation; age; disability; religion or belief; gender; gender reassignment; marriage or civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity status.

However the Trust can only provide the best possible care for our patients if we also recognise and meet the diverse needs of our staff. Our aim is to treat all staff as valued and respected individuals and to support equal access to opportunities within the Trust.

Our aim is for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights issues to feature in our everyday thinking rather than being an 'added extra.' We have people and groups who have a role in promoting Equality, Diversity and Human Rights in all the works we do.