NHS Grampian launches new anti-racism plan
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HEALTH board NHS Grampian announced the launch of its new anti-racism plan as part of its maiden diversity festival.
The Anti-Racism Plan, believed to be the first of its kind among regional Scottish health boards, was launched on Wednesday, October 4.
The plan's launch will mark the beginning of a 12-month programme to raise awareness and offer training opportunities across all NHS Grampian sites.
Chair of the board of NHS Grampian, Alison Evison, said: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone impacted by racism in all its forms and we pledge that we will not stand by and let it happen.
"This is ‘Speak Up’ week and we know it makes a difference to those with lived experience of coping with racism when they feel someone has their back.
“Anti-racism is about acknowledging racism or bias exists within ourselves and wider society and making a commitment to challenge it.”
Roda Anunciado-Bird, interim equality and diversity manager for NHS Grampian, has worked with a joint NHS Grampian and University of Aberdeen Race Taskforce, as well as NHS Grampian’s Staff Equalities Network and the Grampian Empowered Multicultural Staff (GEMS) Group, who have all contributed to the development of the new Anti-Racism Plan.
She explained: “Being aware of our own unconscious biases and working to overcome them is really important.
"One of the ways we are going to help colleagues and students across Grampian is by offering training on active bystandership. This teaches you how to safely intervene when you see racism or discrimination happening.”
Dr Petrus Elofuke, who is a consultant physician and associate director of medical education, as well as a member of the GEMS Group, added: “We need to be willing to have difficult conversations about race and racism.
"We know that it's not always easy, but we need to be willing to listen to the experiences of others.
"Racism can lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression among healthcare workers, and makes it difficult for people to focus on their work and on their patients. We can work together to help address that.”
Colleagues and partners from across Grampian are being given opportunities at the Diversity Festival to learn more about how best to support wellbeing and to share examples of lived experience.
Awareness raising is a fundamental part of NHS Grampian’s new Anti-Racism Plan. Alison added: “We have a dedicated and caring workforce.
"I'm confident that by working together we can create an anti-racist NHS Grampian that is a beacon for other organisations in the north east and across Scotland.”
View NHS Grampian’s new Anti-Racism Plan is available at www.nhsgrampian.org/siteassets/about-us/equality-and-diversity/nhsgrampian-antiracism-plan-2023-to-2028.pdf
