Disable inequality

What are the issues facing disabled workers?

The Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) requires all NHS Trusts in England to report data on the experience of disabled workers. Although WDES applies in England only, we know that the experience of disabled workers in other devolved administrations would be similar. Key areas of concern flagged in the latest WDES report are:

• Only 5.7% of staff across NHS trusts declared a disability on the NHS formal record system. However, in the staff survey, 25.5% of respondents indicated that they have a physical or mental health condition or illness lasting or expected to last for 12 months or more, which is the definition of a disability under the Equality Act.
• Non-disabled job applicants were 1.2 times more likely to be appointed from shortlisting.
• Disabled staff were 1.54 times more likely to enter the formal performance management capability process.
• 26.3% of disabled staff reported harassment, bullying or abuse, compared to 18.5% of non-disabled staff.
• 1% of disabled staff said they felt valued, compared to 50.4% of non-disabled staff.

We will not stand by while disabled staff in the NHS continue to face inequality at work. Discrimination based on disability is not only wrong, it's against the law. It wastes talent, damages staff, hurts patients and holds the NHS back.