Equality and Inclusion | Equality Reporting | Patient Equality and Inclusion | Staff Equality and Inclusion
Our workforce is the most valued asset of the Trust, providing the day-to-day care or office functions that support high quality care for our patients and communities.
Our staff is diverse and geographically spread across Cheshire and Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and into parts of Lancashire.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion and holistic support for our staff is fundamental to our workforce offer. This includes:
- Guaranteed interview for all job applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and either indicate that they meet the legal definition of disability, or are armed forces community members.
- Reasonable adjustments in the workplace and in recruitment for all disabled staff and applicants.
- Work – life balance initiatives such as flexible working options, career break, carers support, and for armed forces reservists and cadet force adult volunteers five paid days (pro rata) to attend annual training camp.
- Career progression and learning and development offers across all levels of the workforce, including a high quality apprenticeship offer for existing and new staff.
- Health and wellbeing support offers.
- Confidential and safe speaking up pathways including Freedom To Speak Up Guardians and Champions, Staff Side representatives, and six staff networks.
- Zero acceptance of uncivil or disrespectful behaviours, violence, or aggression towards or by our staff. This is embodied within the Trust’s behavioural framework, and civility and respect project.
- A Just Culture that supports learning and growing when things don’t go to plan.
The Trust’s staff networks provide a safe space for staff from diverse groups to meet, raise ideas or concerns, and access peer and Trust support.
In addition, the staff networks are a critical friend to the Trust in the development and delivery of policy, strategy, and action plans. The networks welcome allies who support the work of the Trust and the networks.
Our networks are:
- Carers Support Network
- Enabled Network for disabled staff and staff with long term conditions, neurodivergent diagnosis, and mental health concerns.
- LGBTQIA+ Staff Network
- Menopause Support Network
- Paths to Parenthood
- Race Inclusion Network.
Information in Trust equality accreditation can be found on our Equality and Inclusion.
Not included at this time but of high importance to the Trust is the commitment to the NHS North West Anti-Racist Framework.
The Trust is working with staff with lived experience to develop and deliver a transformational action plan to not just support the Trust to be recognised through the bronze to gold structure of the Framework, but to deliver real and lasting anti-racist projects that positively impact in the long term on our ethnically diverse and minoritised staff and patients.
More information on the North West Anti-Racist Framework can be found on the NHS England website .
Our Bridgewater anti-racist statement can be viewed on our About us page.