Tackling racism a priority, says NHS trust leader

Tackling "pockets of racism" in an NHS mental health trust remained a "number one priority", its chair has said.

Zoe Billingham, the chair of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) based in Norwich, pledged to make changes following findings from a recent staff study.

The survey found evidence that disciplinary processes for staff from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background were "more draconian".

The study based on the experiences of 100 members of staff was commissioned by NSFT, and also included allegations of nepotism and inequality.

Ms Billingham said: "There is undoubtedly pockets of racism within our trust.

"We've brought in experts from across the country to help us diagnose, where it's happening, why it's happening and we've got this movement now, across our staff, to say we've got to stop talking about being an anti-racist organisation, we have to act."

Some of the racism came from patients and directed towards staff, and some staff expressed there was no clear process for dealing with racist patients.

Ms Billingham confirmed making improvements was a top priority for the trust and that changes were not about "woke politics" but about getting the best from staff for patients.

"We've got to create that environment where staff are not subjected to racism, whether it's shouted or whispered, whether direct or indirect, we've got to eradicate it and stamp it out," she said.

The workforce race equality report also found staff felt there were significant discrepancies in recruitment, career progression, the disciplinary process and equal opportunities.

It included allegations of "widespread and problematic nepotism" and a fear of speaking up or making complaints.

In the report, NSFT's leadership was accused of not understanding race, and senior leaders were accused of not listening.

Separately Ms Billingham also commented on a recent Care Quality Commission inspection which took place at the trust.

NSFT was removed from "special measures" status in February after more than seven years, following improvements to the service.

The findings of inspectors' visit a few days ago are yet to be made public but the chair of the NSFT said: "It's the start of our improvement journey.

"I'm hoping that we don't slip back, sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back.

"I am really optimistic that we will get better and are getting better."

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