Equality, Diversity & inclusion policy
Policy Statement
The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre values the rich diversity, skills, and abilities that people from differing backgrounds and experiences bring to the workplace. Implementing and abiding by a policy that provides for diversity and equal opportunities and deters unlawful discrimination is therefore important to the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre.
Every person working for, or on behalf of, the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre plays a vital role in implementing its aim to create an inclusive working environment, considering the needs of all patients, visitors, and service users, where diversity is welcomed and there is no fear of discrimination.
Policy Objectives
Our practice staff are what make the Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre GREAT. Our practice staff come from a huge range of cultures and experiences and the fresh thinking and passion to work every day is a direct result of our tremendous diversity.
Our approach to the practice is underpinned by the belief that all individuals should be treated fairly and have access to equal opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds and status.
To attract, recruit, develop and retain the very best people at all levels, the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre are committed to respecting and embracing talent and working to support a culture that is inclusive and reflective of our vision and values.
We look for high levels of diversity and inclusion in whom we work with and encourage them to adopt similar thoughts in their relationships with employees and other NHS providers.
Purpose & Scope
The purpose of this policy is to set out the aims of the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre to create an inclusive working environment, where access to work is based on fair and objective criteria, and where there is zero tolerance of unlawful discrimination in respect of our workforce, patients, visitors, and others involved in providing or receiving our services. We aim to implement clear processes in terms of how the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre supports and works towards its aims.
The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre also aims to be clear about how it will deal with actions that adversely impact on its stated aims.
The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre aims to design and implement policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our service, its patients and users, and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Consideration has been given to the impact this policy might have regarding the individual protected characteristics of those to whom it applies.
Th policy and any procedures contained within it are non-contractual and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, it does not form part of a contract of employment.
This document applies to all employees of the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre, partners and other individuals performing functions in relation to the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre, such as agency workers, locums, and contractors.
This policy recognises that the diversity that exists across the organisation’s patient groups should be reflected in the way the Kelvedon &Feering Health Centre operates in terms of diversity within its employees. Also, the fair and objective treatment of others should be part of the way the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre does things.
The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre will ensure that its working practices demonstrate its commitment to fairness and equity, equality of opportunity and that it is free from any bias that is founded in unlawful discrimination including how such aspects as the following are addressed:
- Recruitment and selection
- Learning and development opportunities
- Promotion opportunities
- Pay
- Benefits and terms of employment
- Redundancy and dismissal
- Disciplinary and grievance matters;
Why and how it applies to them.
Everyone, meaning staff, contractors, visitors, and service users, is required to assist the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre to meet its commitment to provide equal opportunities and avoid unlawful discrimination in employment and in the provision of its services.
Any individual can be held personally liable as well as, or instead of, the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre, for any act of unlawful discrimination and those who commit serious acts of harassment may be guilty of a criminal offence.
All staff are to ensure that access to care is equitable for all.
As this is pan staff and users, the following groups should follow different pathways:
- Staff
- For staff, any act of discrimination, harassment, prejudice, bullying or victimisation against employees, patients, or others with whom the organisation has contact are disciplinary offences and will be dealt with under the organisation’s disciplinary procedure.
- Patients and visitors are to be protected from prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence on the grounds of the protected characteristics.
- It should be noted that any conduct of this type will often be gross misconduct which can lead to dismissal without notice and as detailed within the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure
- Service users, including patients and visitors.
- For patients and visitors, any act of discrimination, harassment, prejudice, bullying or victimisation against employees, patients or others with whom the organisation has contact will be managed in accordance with the Dealing with Unreasonable, Violent and Abusive Patients Policy.
Training and support
The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre will provide guidance and support to help those to whom it applies to understand their rights and responsibilities under this policy. Additional support will be provided to managers and supervisors to enable them to deal more effectively with matters arising from this policy.
Our approach is based on three key principles.
Equality- The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre promote equality by removing barriers, eliminating discrimination, and ensuring equal opportunity and access for all groups of people, both within the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre and externally with other outside providers and organisations whom we have formed relationships with.
Diversity– The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre accept each person as an individual. Our success and keenness are built on our ability to embrace diversity and we believe that everyone should feel valued for their contributions. By working together, we will deliver the best possible solutions for our practice members, patients, and other external providers.
Inclusion: The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre create a working culture where differences are not just accepted, but valued, where everyone can develop in a way at is consistent with our vision and values. Our aim is to be the best practice where staff and patients feel involved, respected, and connected to our practices.
Requirements
- No job applicant or member of staff should receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, age, ethic origin, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, civil partnership status, any gender re-assignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or part-time/fixed-term work.
- All Staff should be protected from discrimination by association;
- Equality, diversity and inclusion should be promoted within the workplace;
- We should contribute to generating similar attitudes to ours in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion, in the wider community. We will also look for similar principles of diversity when we select and manage relationship with our external providers & contacts;
- Fair and equitable treatment should be the standard of every aspect of working within the Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre from our written procedures through to our decision making.
- We should promote a culture where staff recognise the value that a diverse and inclusive workforce brings to the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre, and where colleagues and external providers are treated with dignity and respect; and
- The Kelvedon & Feerting Health Centre should create an environment where anyone believing they have been subjected to discrimination, victimisation, or harassment within the workplace, is entitled and feels safe to raise such concerns. The Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre is committed to ensuring that the process for dealing with such concerns is straightforward and will be addressed in a compassionate, inclusive, effective, and efficient way.