A £10,000 award will boost efforts to encourage more people with disabilities to work at the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals.

Friday 14 October 2022

Members of the Staff Disability Network at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust (WAHT) are celebrating after putting in a successful bid for funding from the Workforce Disability Equality Standard Innovation Fund (WDES) and it will be used to enable and encourage people with a disability or long-term condition to apply for roles within the Trust.

The WDES has been introduced across the NHS to advance disability workplace equality.

Donna Scarrott, Chair of the WAHT Staff Disability Network said: “We’re thrilled to have won! There were only eight awards nationally and we were the only Trust within our region to have been successful with our bid.

 “Living and working with a disability is challenging; I myself have a diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) and I have experienced first-hand the challenges of what it’s like living and working with a disability. 

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to continue working within the Trust and they have been enormously supportive and I feel a valued and included member of staff. I absolutely love my job and strongly encourage applicants to apply for one of the many fulfilling and exciting roles here at the Trust. The Staff Disability Network will be here to support you.”

The award will be used specifically to bring Trust job vacancies including apprenticeships directly to potential applicants with a disability or long-term condition and provide support throughout the application, shortlisting and interview process.  

Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins said: “Our Staff Disability Network has played an important role in raising awareness about disabilities at work. 

“We’re all about inclusion and support, and this award, along with the important work being done by the network, will make it easier for us to support and encourage applicants with disabilities.

“It’s another important part of the work we are doing to make our hospitals even better, even more inclusive places to work. That will help us to attract, and keep, the best people and that in turn helps us to keep delivering the best possible care for our patients.”

The Staff Disability Network now has over 40 members and it provides a place for people to connect, share experiences, provide support and give a voice to disability.

If you’re interested in working for the Trust, or would like more information, contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected] or the Disability Network at [email protected].

 Donna Scarrott Chair of the Staff Disability Network