Mercy Kaggwa joins NCH&C as Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Inclusion is at the heart of healthcare.

This Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week (10-14 May 2021) we’re delighted to welcome Mercy Kaggwa as our first dedicated Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor. Mercy joins NCH&C from the NNUH where she was the B.A.M.E Staff Network Co-Chair, and where she also continues to be the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity Fundraising Coordinator.

This newly-created role reflects the importance of inclusion, equality, diversity, and as a factor in the delivery of high-quality patient care, staff retention and improving engagement levels and staff experience across the organisation. Mercy will engage with NCH&C staff to develop a range of equality, diversity and inclusion related initiatives and projects. She will also make a crucial contribution to the programme of work that looks to eliminate inequalities and influence and embed inclusion within our organisation. This will benefit staff, patients and the communities in which we deliver health and care.

Mercy will play a key role in supporting our compliance with statutory and public sector equality duties, as well as supporting activities to maintain NCH&C’s Disability Confident status. Working closely with the NCH&C Talent for Care team she will support the development of opportunities for people with Learning Disabilities and other under-represented groups. She will also contribute to a wider review of our recruitment practices to ensure staffing reflects the diversity of our community.

Mercy said: “Inclusion is at the heart of healthcare. Working together to treat patients and improve lives within our region and beyond within the NHS cannot be accomplished without true inclusivity. Our county has become richly diverse within recent years and proves to continue with trend: gender, race, religion, ability and  sexuality are issues that affect us all and are issues in which we can support each other in living and working together successfully no matter who we are or where we come from.

“I hope that my passion for inclusivity supports the already amazing work that the HR team and staff reps here at NCH&C have been carrying out and I look forward to learning, educating and implementing positive effective change on this journey with you all.”