Conference

Fostering excellence in tackling inequality

Our conference took place on Tuesday 14 May 2024 and we discussed tackling inequalities both within the workforce and service delivery.

General information

Time
14 May 2024 09:30 - 15:30 GMT
Audience
Open to all
Cost
£75.00
Event location
London

Speakers

  • Headshot of Joan Saddler
    Joan Saddler OBE External link icon
    Director of Partnerships and Equality NHS Confederation
  • Paul Deemer
    Paul Deemer
    Head of Diversity and Inclusion, NHS Employers
  • Headshot of Carol Hill
    Carol Hill
    Assistant Director, Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation
  • Headshot of James Jackson
    James Jackson
    People and Wellbeing Programme Manager, South Central West Commissioning Support Unit
  • Headshot of Habib Naqvi
    Professor Habib Naqvi MBE
    Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory
  • Headshot of Graham Martin
    Professor Graham Martin External link icon
    Director of Research THIS Institute
  • Ruth Lowe
    Ruth Lowe External link icon
    Policy and Delivery Manager, NHS Confederation
  • Headshot of Joe O'Grady
    Joe O'Grady
    Strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
  • Headshot of Sophie Lecky
    Sophie Lecky
    Workforce Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead for Sussex Community Foundation Trust.
  • Headshot of Alexandra Ankra
    Alexandra Ankrah
    Senior Policy Advisor, NHS England.
  • Headshot of Deepa
    Deepa Nair External link icon
    Deputy Director of Programmes – Workforce, Training & Education, NHS England
  • Headshot of Nicky Cambridge
    Nicky Cambridge
    Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.
  • Headshot of Kulvinder
    Kulvinder Hira External link icon
    Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  • Clive Clarke External link icon
    Director of Inclusion Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Our Fostering Excellence in Tackling Inequality conference took place on 14 May as part of our Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2024 celebrations.  

Expert speakers shared insights on NHS England's EDI Improvement Plan and improving equality of access, experience and outcomes for both patients and the workforce. Delegates had an opportunity to meet with and influence national decision-makers.

We know that EDI is a difficult space in which to operate and the conference provided an opportunity to celebrate and support the work that you do. Our recent survey found that 96 per cent of leaders say that the NHS still has issues of discrimination to overcome in access, experience and outcomes for patients. 

The conference created a safe space where delegates heard about and discussed the latest developments in policy and practice across this broad agenda. The conference gave our delegates a voice and helped us to direct our focus, in terms of influencing national policy and practice. Delegates described feeling supported and inspired, having shared challenges and come up with solutions in partnership with their peers. 

Who attended

This event was for health and social care staff working in the fields of diversity, inclusion, public health and/or health inequalities.  

What delegates got from the conference

  • Participated in a meaningful conversation, explored opportunities and shared challenges to tackle inequalities for all.    
  • Listened to good practice to inspire change that can help deliver positive outcomes for all our communities. 
  • Influenced national policy and practice.  
  • Connected with fellow EDI colleagues. 

Programme and speakers 

  • This session outlined the current political, social, economic and technological landscape against which the health and social care sector is attempting to deliver fair and equitable services for patients and provide safe and inclusive workplaces for its staff. It set out the challenges and the opportunities open to us all and invited everyone to contribute to bringing about systemic and sustainable change. 

    Joan Saddler OBE, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation

  • In this session, we will heard about transformational change through tackling health inequalities and racial inequality. We explored the goals and ambitions of the EDI Improvement Plan and heard about the planned roadmap to facilitate and develop the current and future generations of EDI professionals.

    Deepa Nair, Deputy Director of Programmes - Workforce, Training & Education, NHS England

    Professor Habib Naqvi MBE, Chief Executive, The NHS Race and Health Observatory

  • The session gave an overview of findings from work with acute providers, mental health providers, primary care and ICBs, as well as showcased a recent research report and toolkit to address health inequalities. The session addressed two key questions: 

    1. What are the leadership behaviours required to embed successful changes?

    2. How can providers and systems improve their approach to tackling health inequalities?

    Ruth Lowe, Policy and Delivery Manager, NHS Confederation

    Carol Hill, Assistant Director, Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation

  • Roundtable discussions on: 

    • Delivering the EDI improvement plan and the role of boards in addressing and tackling inequality.
    • How to make quick, sustainable and impactful change so people can see and feel it.
    • The role of ICBs and the wider system. 
    • Achieving better health outcomes for communities. 
    • Career pathways in equality, diversity and inclusion.

    Guest speakers include: 

    Deepa Nair, Deputy Director of Programmes - Workforce, Training & Education, NHS England

    Carol Hill, Assistant Director, Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation

    Paul Deemer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, NHS Employers

    Ruth Lowe,  Policy and Delivery Manager, NHS Confederation

    Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive, The NHS Race and Health Observatory

    Clive Clarke, Director of Inclusion, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

  • This was an opportunity to share feedback and discuss insights from the day with our equality, diversity and inclusion leads.

    James Jackson, People and Wellbeing Programme Manager, South Central West Commissioning Support Unit

    Sophie Lecky, Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

  • Professor Graham Martin, Director of Research, THIS Institute presented on the power of collaboration and finding joint solutions

  • Graham's presentation was followed by a facilitated panel discussion exploring how we all better collaborate and find joint solutions in order to improve patient outcomes. Discussions centred around: 

    • How to move from transactional to transformational equity.
    • How to avoid tokenism and embed equity into your organisational approach.
    • How to speed up your equity change management process.

    Joan Saddler OBE, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation

    Clive Clarke, Director of Inclusion, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

    Kulvinder Hira, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

    Alexandra Ankrah, Senior Policy Advisor, NHS England.

  • Joan Saddler OBE, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation