Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) has launched a passport for disabled staff, aiming to improve their experience in the workplace.
Launched this week, the passport is designed to ensure that staff can get the support they need.
The passport is a document completed by a disabled member of staff which will be reviewed at intervals agreed with their managers to check that reasonable adjustments are appropriate or can be adjusted if the employee’s needs or role have changed.
The Trust’s Disabled Staff Network have created the passport after listening to the stories and experiences of staff in obtaining reasonable adjustments. The document will make it easier for staff to share information about their disability.
Chris Rowlands, Equality and Diversity Lead at CNTW, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and we hope the introduction of the passport will improve the experience of staff and managers alike.
“Sharing information about a condition or having to explain it numerous times can sometimes be difficult. It can be hard to know what needs to be shared and who with. Having a passport detailing important information can make it easier for people to have their needs known.”
CNTW’s Disabled Staff Network is part of the Trust’s commitment to creating a fair and diverse workplace. The network actively engages and contributes towards ensuring equality, acceptance and inclusion within the Trust.
The aim of the network is to provide a place for staff to come together and promote a working environment in which staff feel supported and valued. The network plays an important role in helping raise awareness of important issues, challenging discrimination and positively promoting equality.
The passport’s launch coincides with Disability History Month, which this year aims to raise awareness of the importance of the struggles of disabled people for access.