The CSP has been working to support and protect members at work during the COVID-19 pandemic, including on issues related to equality and diversity.
Nationally – what has CSP been doing?
We are using a range of national influencing opportunities within NHS partnership structures, such as the NHS staff council Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and through our affiliation to the TUC (STUC, Wales TUC and Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions) to pursue matters of equality and diversity related to coronavirus. CSP's national officer for equality and diversity, Siân Caulfield, has worked with the CSP diversity networks to ensure their views are heard and represented.
Actions to date
- Public Health England has been asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to commission a national review of the effects of COVID-19 on BAME individuals, following representations from the TUC, among others.
- NHS England, working with England’s Social Partnership Forum and its Workforce Issues Group, has released guidance on risk assessments for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the need to risk-assess any BAME and disabled workers who are at a higher risk of catching the virus. Ahead of this guidance, NHSE had recommended employers should risk-assess staff at potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements accordingly.
- Submitting evidence to parliament’s Women and Equalities Select Committee on the impact of coronavirus on women.
BAME members
COVID-19 higher cases
Sadly, the emerging UK and international data suggests that people from BAME backgrounds are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. See above for action on this matter.
- Inquiry announced into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on BAME communities
- Ethnic minority deaths and COVID-19: what are we to do? – The Kings Fund
- Temporary NHS hospital in Surrey named after Mary Seacole
- COVID-19 related deaths by ethnic groups, 2 March – 10 April 2020
- NHS Employers – Risk Assessments for Staff
Racism
TUC guide – Why structural racism is putting BAME lives at risk
BAME network day
Due to Coronavirus, the CSP BAME network day will now be held in June and online. Please contact Siân Caulfield for more information.
Members with disabilities
We are seeing those with disabilities such as long-term health conditions being disproportionately affected by the virus in the workplace, whether that’s by self-isolation, a move to working from home or – even worse – jobs being put at risk because they have a disability.
If you have a disability, you can access support via your CSP steward and by joining the CSP DisAbility network group. Email Siân Caulfield to join.
Other resources for members with disabilities
- TUC guide – mental health and coronavirus
- TUC guide – Protecting disabled people working from home
- CSP web page and guide – dyslexia resources
- CSP web page and guide – looking after your mental health
DisAbility Network day
Due to coronavirus, the CSP DisAbility network day will now be held in London in July. Please contact Siân Caulfield for more information.
LGBT+ members
The LGBT foundation – report on the impact of Coronavirus and the LGBT+ community
Stonewall report – LGBT in Britain: Health report
LGBT+ network day
Due to coronavirus, the CSP LGBT+ network day will now be held in July and online. Please contact Siân Caulfield for more information.
Other relevant articles
The impact of COVID-19 on women
The Council of Europe has launched a dedicated resource page on national measures taken to prevent and combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equality between women and men.
FLOWS is a team of experts from the family team at the Royal Courts of Justice Advice, working in partnership with Rights of Women. It is a network of trusted and fully vetted advisers which includes experienced solicitors and law clinics, citizen advice services, front-line professionals in women’s refuges, women’s organisations, and organisations that provide safe environments for domestic abuse survivors.
Domestic violence
Calls to domestic abuse lines have more than doubled since the UK lockdown started. We also know that, tragically, three times as many women have been killed by men in their own homes during lockdown.
The TUC has designed an excellent guide to help you spot the signs of domestic abuse
Pregnant and vulnerable workers
The CSP has compiled guidance on what you need to know to work safely and protect yourself and your loved ones from infection while working during the pandemic.
Guidance for pregnant and vulnerable workers
CSP Members Benevolent Fund
If you are experiencing hardship, The CSP Members Benevolent Fund can help. It was set up in 1917 to support members experiencing financial difficulties.