LGBT+ staff survey finds EEAST ‘a modern and inclusive organisation'

Chief executive recognises progress, but says there is 'much further to go'.

Today the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) is publishing the results of an independent survey of colleagues who identify as LGBT+. https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity-surveys.htm

This follows independent surveys of BME staff and employees living with a disability and is part of the Trust’s on-going programme to making EEAST an inclusive environment for everyone.

65% of LGBT staff took part and shared their views. 72% of respondents reported that they consider the Trust to be ‘a modern and inclusive organisation, which recognises and embraces people of all sexual orientations and different gender identities.

Tom Abell, CEO of EEAST said: “We have made good progress in improving the culture at EEAST as evidenced by our improved Care Quality Commission report and the lifting of CQC and European Human Rights Commission conditions. We are also optimistic that our results from our recent staff survey show that we are beginning to move in the right direction. 

"However, we still have much further to go in making our Trust an inclusive environment for everyone. The key areas to improve include ensuring that our staff are confident that complaints or concerns raised within EEAST are taken seriously and not dismissed, trivialised, or explained away, and that we tackle ignorance that can lead to discrimination, 

"We have a three-year plan to make EEAST a more inclusive place to work and have a skilled team in the Strategy, Culture and Education Directorate to drive forward this plan. We will work with our employee networks to ensure that the voice of our people is represented and valued in all our plans.”