Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (BWC) has launched the See ME First campaign – an anti-racism and discrimination commitment.
The campaign, which first began at Whittington Health NHS Trust in October 2020, is championed by the trust’s GUARDIANS staff network and involves wearing a badge to signify to parents, families and colleagues that they can offer anti-discrimination support.
In the BWC statement, the trust highlights wearing the badge symbolises to all that the NHS organisation is inclusive, diverse, open, and non-judgemental, as well as treating staff with dignity and respect.
In addition to wearing the See Me First badge, staff have pledged how they will take steps to stop accepting inappropriate behaviour, to speak up and encourage others to do the same, and point others in the direction of information and support.
Waheeda Rahman, Inclusion Facilitator and Chair of the GUARDIANS Staff Network, said of the campaign: “We are proud to launch the See ME First Campaign as part of the BWC GUARDIANS Network.
“The badge is a strong visual way to highlight to all the importance of being an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory organisation.
“We are encouraging our colleagues to become See ME First champions to help improve patients, family and staff experiences.”
Ruth Wall, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, added: “I’m delighted to support our staff networks to introduce the See Me First campaign here at BWC.
“Our organisation is committed to improving the experience of patients, families and staff from all communities and supporting and encouraging staff to bring their whole self to work and be seen as the great, diverse and skilled individuals they are will only support this.
“I encourage colleagues to actively seek understanding of this campaign and wear their badge with purpose and pride to show their commitment of being anti-racism and anti-discriminatory.”