The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a new anti-racism framework, with support from former Newcastle United player Olivier Bernard, marking what leaders describe as "time for action" to tackle racism and improve the environment for staff, patients and the wider community.
The framework was unveiled at a panel event earlier this week, featuring Bernard, who is an ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card charity, alongside leading academic Prof Donna Chambers and Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth. Senior trust leaders Michael Wright and Rob Harrison also took part.
Framework commitments and training
The document outlines the trust's plan to respond to staff calls for "visible, courageous leadership" on the issue, and highlights the need for "consistency, accountability and transparency". Staff will receive new anti-racism training delivered with the support of Show Racism the Red Card.
Lee-Ann Naido, the trust's head of inclusion, culture and belonging, said: "Now is the time for action, not just more conversations. I know from personal experience that the impact of racism can go far beyond what others see or understand.
"The launch of this framework is an important step in our journey towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. It means being honest about where we need to improve, challenging racism and changing the behaviours and systems that create unfairness."
Four founding principles
The trust, which runs services including the Freeman and RVI hospitals, said the training is "designed to increase understanding of racism, equip colleagues with the confidence to challenge it and empower them to take meaningful action across the organisation".
The anti-racism plan is built on four "founding principles": education, representation, culture change, and action and accountability. It also sets out commitments to establish a "race equity taskforce" and to "challenge institutional bias and systematic barriers to progression".
