Heartbeat: Be an ally, don’t bystand but upstand!

September 17, 2021

A ground-breaking workshop organised by The Women’s Clinician Network (WCN) brought together colleagues from across the Trust with one purpose in mind, upskilling and enabling colleagues to stand up for themselves and each other when they face discrimination.

Opening the event, Deputy Medical Director and Acute Physician Dr Sarb Clare addressed the audience: “Stand with me, not by me, be an ally, don’t bystand but upstand”, setting in motion the narrative for the afternoons events.

The training workshop arranged by Sarb and her WCN colleagues sought to support clinicians facing discrimination, addressing unconscious bias and self-awareness whilst also encouraging colleagues to be an ally and upstand.

Sharing her thoughts on the workshop, Sarb said: “Every day NHS colleagues face discrimination and we have clear demonstrable national data that shows this. Whilst some colleagues have the resolve and will to stand up, we know that many more will not for several reasons ranging from fear from line managers, being too upset and concern about career progression.

“Our work in the WCN has shown that women are often the victims of discrimination, whether that’s intentionally or through unconscious bias, and whilst we have it drummed in to us across the NHS that discrimination will not be tolerated, these practices continue, and the victims continue to pay the price.

“Our workshop today has set in motion a challenge to every single one of the attendees, to stand up to their detractors, their bullies and their oppressors, not just for themselves but for each other. We can no longer bystand and watch as colleagues are unfairly treated, tormented and abused simply because we are not the target. This discrimination not only comes from colleagues and line managers but also our patients, patients we are treating and caring for.

“Often the bullies and tormentors will skate a fine line between humour and hurtful comments, relying on their excuse of ‘it’s just banter’, but the skills that we have been able to acquire thanks to our resident conflict trainer, Richard Burnell mean that we are all able to challenge, stand up and step in if we see anything we don’t feel is fair or just.”

Colleagues at the workshop also had the opportunity to hear from Deputy Medical Director and Responsible Officer Dr Mark Anderson who shared the formal escalation processes available for colleagues who feel behaviour need formal reporting.