'An important first step': UHDB signs the Carers Pledge
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton are proud to share that as part of Carers Week, on Thursday 9 June, we have signed the Carers Pledge.
This pledge shows UHDB’s commitment to supporting our working carers through:
- Acknowledging and supporting informal Carers within UHDB
- The recognition of a nominated Carers Champion
- A constant review of policies and procedures to ensure they are inclusive of Carers, making adjustments where necessary.
Amanda Rawlings, Chief People Officer, and Divisional Director of Surgery, Andrew Hall, met with members of UHDB’s Carers Network at Royal Derby Hospital to sign the Carers Pledge. The Carers Network has worked closely with the Derbyshire Carers Association, to bring this commitment to UHDB.
Jemma Walker, Chair of the Carers Network, said: “We’ve been working towards this moment for quite a few months. It’s a really positive step for the future.
“We know the Trust will now continue to look at policies and procedures with Carers in mind, and we’ve already seen that – with special leave for those with caring responsibilities being raised from two to 10 days. On our part, we will work on rolling out the Carers Champion soon, and in the mean time Rachel Kirby, Deputy Lead of the Carers Network, and I are here to support our Carer colleagues within the Trust.”
Amanda Rawlings said she was “delighted” to sign the Pledge.
“The Pledge shows the hard work put in by the Network, holding UHDB to account. We want to do all we can to enact the right policies and procedures for Carers, and signing the Pledge is just one crucial first step in a long journey.
“We know we can’t fix the problems that Carers face overnight, but the organisation having the right mindset - flexibility, and supporting our colleagues with Caring responsibilities - is really important.
Andrew Hall agreed, adding that: “Fundamentally, all of us at some point in our working lives could find ourselves in this position. Being best supported to manage these responsibilities alongside work is an important part of keeping everyone both happy and healthy at work”.
Carers Week 2022 ran from Monday 6 June to Friday 10 June at UHDB, and we are delighted to have supported the Carers Network in their programme of activities throughout the week.
This included a roadshow where they visited different sites across the Trust, to meet colleagues and members of the public, to raise awareness of both their Network and the issues facing colleagues who work whilst maintaining caring responsibilities – and on the final day of the roadshow, this is when the Pledge was signed.
Reflecting on Carers Week, Amanda said:
“Caring is a job that never switches off, and working at the Trust whilst trying to balance these responsibilities is a phenomenal act. This week has been so important in raising awareness of this across the sites in our organisation – and I’m immensely grateful for all the work the Network has done.”