Recommendation 21

HM Government Accepted in Part

56. NHS staff should feel safe at work in an environment free of racism and discrimination. Every NHS organisation has a duty to protect staff from racism, sexism and religious hatred and will have their own policies and procedures around this. The NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan sets out targeted actions for organisations to address prejudice and discrimination at work, with an aim to ensure all staff feel safe to speak up and report abusive or discriminatory behaviours through their employer’s reporting channels. 62. We note the Committee’s recommendation that the Government should ensure that the NHS provides culturally competent, trauma-informed and accessible therapy for those in need, including Muslim communities and specifically Muslim women. The Government is transforming mental health services into community-based mental health centres, building on existing pilots. These centres will bring together a range of community mental health services under one roof, including crisis services, community mental health services and short-stay beds. The centres will be in the heart of communities and staffed by a team that includes psychiatrists, mental health professionals, peer support workers and voluntary sector staff. For example, the centre in Birmingham is co-located with a local Mosque and working in partnership with the local Muslim community to provide wrap around, person-centred care.