Diversity and equality
Whatever your job, and wherever you work, valuing diversity will have an impact on you. These pages support RCN members at work and keep you up to date with events and news in this field.
Is that discrimination?
A new three-year project from the RCN Diversity team. RCN members from a diverse range of backgrounds have fed back to us just how hard we need to continue to work to challenge discrimination on all fronts, this project is part of our commitment to be a world-class champion of equality and human rights within the health care sector.”
The ‘Is That Discrimination’ project ultimately aims to deliver better outcomes for RCN members working in the healthcare sector today by working in partnership with employers to eliminate unlawful discrimination at work. The project also seeks to equip RCN members with a better understanding of their employment rights and provide enhanced support and advice to accredited representatives around identifying and tackling discrimination in the workplace.
There are three phases to the project:
Phase one: Building member awareness
This part of the project will focus on raising awareness of what discrimination is and reminding RCN members of their employment rights as well as their right to work in environments that are free from unlawful discrimination. If you have experienced workplace discrimination in the past and are willing to share your experiences and reflections, the RCN Diversity Team would like to hear from you. We’re keen for members to help each other understand what discrimination is and isn’t by sharing their own experiences. Email: diversity.team@rcn.org.uk
Phase two: Expanding capacity
This phase concentrates on providing enhanced learning and developmental support for our accredited representatives and caseworkers on identifying and effectively challenging workplace discrimination.
Phase three: Improving performance
The final piece of the project centres on working with employers to champion and celebrate good practice as well as pointing out areas for improvement. Look out for articles and updates about the project in Activate and Bulletin. Please contact the diversity.team@rcn.org.uk if you would like more information about the project.
Peer support @ the RCN
The peer support network is new and builds on the success of groups like the Work Injured Nurses Group and the Disabled Nurses Network. It is a membership group for any member affected by physical or psychological injury, ill health or disability - whether work-related or not. The group exists to assist members in making connections with peers to give and receive support. For more information visit Membership Support Services.
Stonewall launches equality index for NHS organisations
The first Stonewall Healthcare Equality Index has been launched and is open to all NHS organisations to enter for free.
The Healthcare Equality Index is part of Stonewall’s Health Champions programme, funded by the Department of Health. The index has been developed as a tool for the NHS to benchmark its progress on sexual orientation equality and is free to enter. The index also includes the opportunity for lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, carers and families to feedback directly to Stonewall on their experiences of accessing services.
To find out more please visit the Stonewall Healthy Lives website.
Equality Act 2010: Banning age discrimination in services, public functions and associations
The Government has announced that it will proceed with implementing the ban on age discrimination without specific exceptions across the health care sector from October 2012.
The Government says that the justifiable use of age should continue. For example, by ensuring that services and benefits are targeted at those who most need them.
Preparing for the ban on age discrimination
At a national level the NHS Commissioning Board Authority has already given some consideration to how age equality will be embedded in service delivery across the NHS.
The NHS Equality Delivery System, launched in November 2011 is designed to provide a framework of support to NHS organisations to meet equality requirements including the ban on age discrimination.
At a local level NHS Southwest has produced a resource pack to help local authorities and NHS organisations prepare for the ban. This can be accessed by visiting the NHS Southwest website.
Diversity toolkit
The RCN takes an innovative approach to sharing information. Find out more about this new resource in the Diversity toolkit section.
Diversity champions
The RCN wants to recruit 1000 activists to champion diversity and equality issues locally. As a registered champion you will receive the latest information and specialist support from the RCN diversity team.
Be the change you want to see in the world and sign up to become a diversity champion today.
Contact us
We want to hear your suggestions for ways that we can enhance the RCN's support for you and your colleagues. You can either email diversity.team@rcn.org.uk or write to:
Diversity and Equalities Unit
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0RN.