Workforce Disability Equality Standard

What is the Workforce Disability Equality Standard?

As set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, respect, equality and diversity are central to changing culture and are at the heart of the NHS workforce implementation plan.

The NHS Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) is designed to improve workplace experience and career opportunities for Disabled people working, or seeking employment, in the National Health Service (NHS). The WDES follows the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) as a tool and an enabler of change.

Through a series of evidence-based Metrics that will provide NHS organisations with a snapshot of the experiences of their Disabled staff in key areas. By providing comparative data between Disabled and non-disabled staff, this information can be used to understand where key differences lie; and will provide the basis for the development of action plans, enabling organisations to track progress on a year by year basis.

The WDES has been commissioned by the Equality and Diversity Council (EDC) and developed through a pilot and extensive engagement with NHS Trusts and key stakeholders. It is mandated through the NHS Standard Contract.

Making a difference for disabled staff

The WDES is important, because research shows that a motivated, included and valued workforce helps to deliver high quality patient care, increased patient satisfaction and improved patient safety.

The implementation of the WDES will enable us to better understand the experiences of our Disabled staff. It will support positive change for existing employees and enable a more inclusive environment for Disabled people working in the NHS.

Below are the results of our first submission and the agreed action plan.