Latest news with #NSFT
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Tackling racism a priority, says Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust
Tackling "pockets of racism" in an NHS mental health trust remained a "number one priority", its chair has Billingham, the chair of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) based in Norwich, pledged to make changes following findings from a recent staff 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 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 included allegations of "widespread and problematic nepotism" and a fear of speaking up or making the report, NSFT's leadership was accused of not understanding race, and senior leaders were accused of not Ms Billingham also commented on a recent Care Quality Commission inspection which took place at the was removed from "special measures" status in February after more than seven years, following improvements to 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." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Report accuses NHS health trust of 'nepotism'
A report has uncovered allegations of nepotism and inequality at an NHS mental health trust. The study - led by former NHS equality director Yvonne Coghill - was based on the experiences of 100 members of staff at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and was commissioned by NSFT itself. Findings included evidence that the disciplinary processes for staff from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME) were "more draconian". Dr Faisil Sethi, NSFT's deputy chief executive, said: "While we have made some progress, we have much more to do to reduce disparity of experience and improve the lives of our colleagues from black and minority ethnic backgrounds." The workforce race equality report 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. Some staff felt there was no clear process for dealing with racist patients. In the report, NSFT's leadership was accused of not understanding race, and senior leaders were accused of not listening. In the report, Caroline Donovan, NSFT chief executive, said it was her aim to ensure everyone "regardless of background has the best possible experience of working here". She added: "NSFT, similar to many organisations, has challenges of racial disparity which need urgent and sustaining leadership." The report recommended NSFT held a conference about the findings, and conducted an audit of its application process. It said all board members must have a clear and deep understanding of the issues and leaders must listen to BAME staff and commit to being anti-racist. Dr Sethi added that race discrimination was taken "extremely seriously" at NSFT. He said the report was part of the trust's commitment to embrace "cultural diversity and racial equality". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Mental health a 'high priority' says government 'Worst' mental health trust shows improvement Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Report accuses Norfolk and Suffolk NHS health trust of 'nepotism'
A report has uncovered allegations of nepotism and inequality at an NHS mental health study - led by former NHS equality director Yvonne Coghill - was based on the experiences of 100 members of staff at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and was commissioned by NSFT included evidence that the disciplinary processes for staff from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME) were "more draconian". Dr Faisil Sethi, NSFT's deputy chief executive, said: "While we have made some progress, we have much more to do to reduce disparity of experience and improve the lives of our colleagues from black and minority ethnic backgrounds." The workforce race equality report 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 staff felt there was no clear process for dealing with racist patients. In the report, NSFT's leadership was accused of not understanding race, and senior leaders were accused of not listening. In the report, Caroline Donovan, NSFT chief executive, said it was her aim to ensure everyone "regardless of background has the best possible experience of working here".She added: "NSFT, similar to many organisations, has challenges of racial disparity which need urgent and sustaining leadership." The report recommended NSFT held a conference about the findings, and conducted an audit of its application process. It said all board members must have a clear and deep understanding of the issues and leaders must listen to BAME staff and commit to being anti-racist. Dr Sethi added that race discrimination was taken "extremely seriously" at said the report was part of the trust's commitment to embrace "cultural diversity and racial equality". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women-only mental health service opens for veterans
An online support service for female military veterans "struggling to come forward" has been started for the East of England. The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is organising the sessions after identifying a gap in care. The service will focus on providing peer support as well as managing mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. It will offer a safe space to discuss sexual assault and harassment within the armed forces. Clinical nurse specialist Vicki Bailey works for the NHS mental health trust's Veterans Integrated Service and identified the need while studying at Anglia Ruskin University. "There wasn't any research around the barriers female veterans face when accessing mental health services and that ignited a passion to offer something bespoke," she said. Some 25 female veterans have signed up so far to join online monthly meetings. RAF veteran Mandy Small, from Rendlesham in Suffolk, served in the RAF as a dog handler. She did two tours of Iraq where she was injured in a mortar blast which knocked her out of an observation tower on to the concrete below. She said she had experienced mental health issues and had had support from the NSFT and was part of the new group. "It's important for everyone, whether male or female, to have a safe space -somewhere that they feel comfortable enough to be able to open up," she said. "I hope these new drop-ins will encourage more people who are struggling to come forward, so they realise they are not alone going through their issues." Ms Small said the prevalence of sexual assault within the armed forces was a barrier to women taking part in support services for veterans. She said: "So many people are still living with the trauma of this, and they have only just been given a voice. "Women-only groups are so important as people don't always feel confident enough to discuss this in front of men." The NSFT provides NHS mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk, but its new service is available to veterans across the wider Eastern region including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Essex and Hertfordshire. Veterans can register for the new service via the NSFT website. The plan is to expand the service in the autumn for members who have a mental health issue and need more clinical support. A range of support services for people with mental health and other issues is listed on the BBC Action Line pages. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Weight 'symbolises soldiers' mental health battle' 'I was going at 100mph after returning from war' Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Women-only mental health service opens for military personnel
An online support service for female military veterans "struggling to come forward" has been started for the East of England. The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is organising the sessions after identifying a gap in service will focus on providing peer support as well as managing mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. It will offer a safe space to discuss sexual assault and harassment within the armed forces. Clinical nurse specialist Vicki Bailey works for the NHS mental health trust's Veterans Integrated Service and identified the need while studying at Anglia Ruskin University. "There wasn't any research around the barriers female veterans face when accessing mental health services and that ignited a passion to offer something bespoke," she said. Some 25 female veterans have signed up so far to join online monthly meetings. RAF veteran Mandy Small, from Rendlesham in Suffolk, served in the RAF as a dog handler. She did two tours of Iraq where she was injured in a mortar blast which knocked her out of an observation tower on to the concrete said she had experienced mental health issues and had had support from the NSFT and was part of the new group. "It's important for everyone, whether male or female, to have a safe space -somewhere that they feel comfortable enough to be able to open up," she said."I hope these new drop-ins will encourage more people who are struggling to come forward, so they realise they are not alone going through their issues." Ms Small said the prevalence of sexual assault within the armed forces was a barrier to women taking part in support services for veterans. She said: "So many people are still living with the trauma of this, and they have only just been given a voice. "Women-only groups are so important as people don't always feel confident enough to discuss this in front of men." The NSFT provides NHS mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk, but its new service is available to veterans across the wider Eastern region including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Essex and can register for the new service via the NSFT plan is to expand the service in the autumn for members who have a mental health issue and need more clinical support. A range of support services for people with mental health and other issues is listed on the BBC Action Line pages. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
