Supporting staff during UK Disability History Month
From 14 November to 20 December, the Trust is proud to mark UK Disability History Month.
This is a time to reflect on the experiences of people living with a disability or long-term condition. It is a time to renew our promise of building an inclusive workplace.
- 11% of Trust staff have a long-term condition or disability.
- 1 in 4 NHS staff have lived experience of disability or a long-term condition.
- Across the world, 1 in 6 people live with a disability.
- That is around 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the population.
Creating a supportive workplace
It is important that we create a full inclusive workplace for our staff. This is why we are recognising UK Disability History month and to acknowledge the experiences of our staff living with a disability or long-term condition.
Annie Kenton is our equity, diversity, and inclusion engagement coordinator. Annie shared insights from our most recent Workforce Disability Equality Standards (WDES) report:
"78.2% of our staff who live with a disability or long-term condition report that they receive reasonable adjustments to help them do their job. This is a rise of just over 4% from last year."
Reasonable adjustments include:
- specialist furniture
- keyboard and mouse support
- moving workstations for better accessibility
- flexible hours, shift changes, or remote and hybrid working
- adjusted deadlines or performance targets if illness or treatment affects daily activities
Some disabilities are non-visible, or a mix of visible and non-visible. They can be temporary, situational, or permanent. This is why ongoing, open communication is essential.
Annie explains:
"This progress is partly due to our regular health and wellbeing talks between staff and managers. We are invested in training to make sure our managers understand how to be inclusive leaders."
There are reductions in bullying and harassment from patients, families, and managers. However, Annie notes an increase in reports of discrimination from colleagues.
Some staff may not understand that equity is not about treating everyone the same. It is about giving people what they need to have equal access and opportunity. When someone receives a reasonable adjustment, it is not a 'special treatment.' It is ensuring fairness.
Disability History Month reminds us that inclusion goes beyond policy. It is about valuing the unique contributions and lived experiences of staff who live with a disability or long-term condition.
In a time when the NHS needs to attract and retain a strong workforce, fostering an inclusive environment is key.
Wear it purple!
Staff are encouraged to wear a splash of purple on 3 December. This date marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is a global event with the aim of showing support for those living with a disability.
Adie Perry, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer, is the executive lead for the Long-Term Conditions and Disabilities Staff Network. Adie commented:
"Making sure we are inclusive is about more than Disability History Month. It is more than a policy. It is about us asking how we ensure we are getting the best out of everyone who works within the Trust.
"We have close to 5,000 people who work for the Trust. If 1 in 10 people identify as having a disability or long-term condition, that is at least 500 people.
"If we get the quality right and get staff engaged, we get the best out of people because they can bring their best selves to work. If we can make things as easy as possible for people to come into work and to be their best selves, we provide far better care and quality of care."
Watch Adie talk more about wear it purple and Disability History Month: