Published on: 7th January 2015
Our equality and diversity lead, Sophie Ford, won the East Midlands’ NHS Leader of Inclusivity of the Year at the East Midlands Leadership Academy Awards (20 November).
After winning the regional heat, Sophie will now be will now be considered by a panel of national judges and will be up against peers from across the country all hoping to be crowned national winner of their categories at the London ceremony in March 2015.
NHS Leaders from across the East Midlands came together last night at Leicester’s King Power Stadium to celebrate the winners of this year’s NHS Recognition Awards. The process, which is being replicated across nine other regions.
Paul O’Neill, director of the East Midlands Leadership Academy which hosted the awards said, “A fantastic night was had by all and I’m delighted that Sophie walked away as NHS Leader of Inclusivity of the Year. I’ll look forward to supporting her at the national ceremony next year and think she has a great chance of winning a national award too.”
Sophie, who lives in Lincoln, said: “I feel very proud to work for an organisation where equality and diversity is viewed as important and taken seriously. It is vitally important that all members of our community can access our services, if required, and that we support staff from different backgrounds.”
Shortlisted candidates for the NHS Leader of Inclusivity of the Year award are dedicated to ensuring that equality and inclusion lie at the heart of their day to day work and are committed to promoting it in every area of the NHS.
Sophie’s nomination focused on the determined efforts she’s made to improve inclusivity in the Trust and the citation read out about her work said: “Sophie’s increased the exposure of equality and diversity activities within the Trust and has had an impact on everything from championing better access for patients when English is not their first language to improving staff networks for black and minority ethnic, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.”
Chair of the East Midlands Leadership Academy, Gavin Boyle said: “The atmosphere on the evening was great and was a fitting tribute to NHS staff in our region who work so hard. The environment in which we work is often challenging so it gives me great pleasure to celebrate the fantastic work that’s being undertaken day in, day out.”
Almost 150 nominations were received in total from a spread of organisations which included those in both primary and secondary care as well as those from other parts of the health and social care sector.
