NHS 'diversity officers' pay rate defended by campaigner

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Russell Thomas of the Diversity Trust joined GB News host Patrick Christys and argued diversity officers created the right environment for healthcare workers to provide the best service to their patients. But when asked about diversity officers getting paid more than nurses, Mr Thomas dodged the question before reiterating the good service staff could provide with an officer by their side and pointed out they could save taxpayers money by identifying problems before they blew up. Viewers were angry as many recalled staff shortages in the NHS when they visited and said the priority should be changed to encouraging more care staff to join the NHS.

Speaking on GB News, Mr Thomas was asked whether he believes the NHS required “diversity chiefs”. 

Diversity officers in the NHS are hired to tackle inequalities in the workforce with NHS chiefs believing it will help save lives. 

Supporters argue a more diverse NHS will make patients feel more comfortable during their care and encourage them to come forward for treatment. 

Mr Thomas supported the hiring of diversity officers and said: “Most definitely, so having a senior leader in an organisation or senior sponsor around equality and diversity is really fundamental and very important in order to get things moving. 

“In order to set the tone create the right environment, create role models for other individuals to be inspired to be able to move forward and be successful in those in those areas. 

Read more: Alastair Stewart confirms GB News return date after 6 week break

“So really investing in those senior individuals, those senior leaders is really important and also a great example of commitment in these issues. 

“If we’re going to talk about finance, some of the most successful companies in terms of financially are those are the most diverse and the most and most innovative organisations.

“There’s been a lot of different grievances and issues that have come out that will be coming out all across all different areas across the NHS and that’s going to cost us the taxpayer lots and lots of money.”

Mr Thomas was interrupted before he could finish but appeared to suggest a diversity office would be able to address issues before they became big problems.

GB News guest discusses NHS plans for trans wards

Mr Christys put to Mr Thomas how he could “justify” paying diversity staff more than other care staff.

An advertisement for a Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Officer for the NHS was published several weeks ago with a salary of £37,638 – £44,780 per annum.

A staff nurse role in Nottingham currently being advertised sees wages start at £24,907.

Mr Thomas replied: “For me it’s about creating that team to in a sense, creating money creating opportunities for people.

“We’re treating each other better, treating staff better but also they’re treating patients better as well.

“Better quality of service better experience for those individuals.”

He concluded that mental health services required people to treat each other nicely and said a diversity officer would be able to address work grievances in a diplomatic way.

Viewers disagreed with Mr Thomas and shared their thoughts online.

One wrote: “Since the NHS is an incredibly diverse workforce this seems utterly preposterous to me.”

Another said: “We are spending too much time and money on pointless roles everywhere.”

Someone also tweeted: “Someone from the Diversity Trust thinks we need diversity managers. Well blow me down, who would have thought it?”

Dr Rakib Ehsan agreed health disparities in the UK were important but rejected diversity officers as being the solution.

He explained: “I think that what we need in the country is a deeper understanding of what drives health disparities.

“I think my issue with diversity inclusion managers in the NHS and the problems surrounding local representation.

“I think that all too often we see diversity inclusion managers they’re not necessarily integrated into the local communities that they’re meant to serve.

“They don’t possess the specialist knowledge to serve those communities in terms of understanding the realities on the ground when it comes to barriers to access to healthcare services and specific health problems

“So my issue is that we do need to understand what drives health disparities in modern-day Britain but at the moment diversity inclusion and diversity and inclusion managers in the National Health Service are too often not well equipped to fulfil their duties.”

Source: Read Full Article