The people who work here are our greatest asset and we want them to feel supported and happy in work.
Our dedicated staff networks contribute to addressing and solving problems for under-represented and disadvantaged groups and individuals in our organisation.
We currently have five networks covering:
- Race equality network
- Enabled network (enhancing ability, learning from disability)
- Pride network
- Women’s network
- Armed forces network
The networks provide a place to come together, share experiences and facilitate learning and development. They also help us to shape and deliver wider pieces of work, such as the development of strategy and policy, and to improve staff experience in relation to specific issues linked with each network.
Race equality staff network
Our race equality network is a place where black and ethnic minority staff can feel safe and secure to share and discuss issues that are important and matter to them.
The race equality network offers an opportunity for staff to come together, share experience, develop new skills and make friends.
One in five nurses, more than one in three doctors and one in six of all NHS staff nationally, identify as black or minority ethnic, but data (via the Workforce Race Equality Standard) shows us those staff are:
- less likely to reach senior leadership positions
- more likely to experience harassment, bullying or abuse
- feel less positive about equality of opportunity in their workplace.
The network provides a forum to actively ensure those figures are not representative within Newcastle Hospitals. By coming together as members of a staff network, your voice can be amplified and help lead us to better address these inequalities.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Enabled staff network
Our enabled network provides shared support and a collective voice for staff to process disability issues and make positive improvements.
The network aims to bring together members of Newcastle Hospitals who have a disability – including but not limited to physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, long-term conditions, learning difficulties and hidden disabilities – to help reach their full potential.
This network is an open forum for disabled colleagues to share their experience of the workplace in a supportive and safe environment. It provides a ‘listening ear’ as well as seeking views to help shape our inclusion agenda and enable us to focus efforts on actions that will make the biggest and most positive difference.
The enabled network is a safe space to discuss improvements and adjustments whilst feeling comfortable doing so.
The network also supports staff who are carers and we’d encourage staff with caring responsibilities to join, to share ideas, challenges and identify solutions.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Pride staff network
Our pride network aims to ensure that regardless of an employee’s sexual orientation and gender identity, that opportunities are equal and staff can feel comfortable raising issues and tackling discrimination.
The network enables LGBTQ+ staff to come together, share information, provide support and ensure we maintain a comfortable and fully inclusive working environment.
Membership is open to all staff, irrespective of how they identify, you just need to have an interest in advancing LGBTQ+ equality.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Women’s staff network
Our women’s network aims to ensure that colleagues are comfortable raising issues and tackling topics that affect women to maintain a comfortable and fully inclusive environment within Newcastle Hospitals.
We enable staff to come together and talk about their experiences, gain support from each other, share information and develop new skills.
The network includes anyone supporting women’s issues as allies working together to ensure equity for all.
We work closely with the equality, diversity and inclusion team to achieve the trust’s EDI objectives and we’re here to support managers and staff to improve the working environment and access to information.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
Armed forces network
Our armed forces network connects, supports, and champions colleagues who are serving, have served, or have family ties to the armed forces. The network is open to: serving regular or reserve personnel, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers, family members of armed forces personnel, bereaved armed forces families and allies who want to show support.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
