Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head of Equality and Diversity. Catherine Conchar took up the position in December, in a role which has been created specifically to reflect the importance of equality and diversity within the organisation and to ensure that services are best meeting the needs of the local community.
Catherine will work across the Trust with equality and diversity advisors in both Local and Forensic divisions to ensure equality and diversity is embedded within employment practice and service delivery. Her remit includes refreshing and developing the Trust’s equality and diversity training programme and supporting regional and national initiatives such as Black History Month, Nottingham Pride and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) History Month. Catherine will also build on and enhance partnership working in relation to equality and diversity, linking in with other trusts, local councils, the voluntary community and statutory organisations such as the local Racial Equality Council and national organisations like Stonewall.
Commenting on her appointment, Catherine said: “I am delighted to have joined the Trust. I think it will be interesting, challenging and I hope that I can make a difference. I am passionate about challenging stigma and improving life chances for people.
“My interest in working in the area of mental health and learning disability came from a previous role in Children’s Services where a disproportionate number of black children were being excluded from school. This appears to be reflected within the criminal justice system (particularly youth offending), the number of service users who are black and male, and within secure services such as Rampton Hospital. I am intrigued by trends such as these; how and why they exist and how they can be challenged.”
Catherine comes to Nottinghamshire Healthcare from Nottingham City Children’s Services where she worked for six years. She has many strings to her bow and is a qualified mediator and holds Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
