Introduction and Background
The purpose of this paper is to provide the annual results against the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) indicators and propose actions which form part of the Trust’s Equality Objectives and overarching Diversity & Inclusion work plan for 2019-20 and
beyond.
The WDES was mandated by the NHS Standard Contract in England from April 2018, with a preparatory year from 2017-2018. It builds on the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) which was introduced in 2015 however focuses on disability. The WDES seeks to promote the concept of disability as an asset, as research has found that disabled people have poorer experience of working in the NHS in England than non-disabled colleagues.
This standard works alongside the Equality Delivery System (EDS2) to help review performance, set equality objectives and deliver on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). The WDES is an essential part of and support to the NHS People Plan; creating a healthy, inclusive and compassionate culture, enabling great development and fulfilling careers, and ensuring everyone feels they have voice, control and influence. The interim plan then expands on ‘Creating a healthy, inclusive and compassionate culture’ by setting out ‘action to improve equality will need to run through all elements of the work on this new offer.
This will include further action to embed the Workforce Disability Equality Standard…’.