Assistant Director of Patient Experience, Barry Williams, has been presented with a Royal College of Nursing award to mark his outstanding contribution to the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda and the experience of BAME service users and staff across the health and social care sector.
The award forms part of the RCN North West’s 
annual event to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of nursing staff from BAME backgrounds who work in health and social care across the region.
This year’s winners work across a range of settings including in hospitals and out in the community, and in clinical and non-clinical areas such as governance, general nursing, mental health and education. They were recognised for a variety of reasons including their commitment to ensure the BAME agenda is heard and acted upon in their organisations and supporting newly recruited nurses from the BAME workforce.
Congratulating the winners, Estephanie Dunn, Regional Director of the Royal College of Nursing in the North West said: “Our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic nursing community play a vital role in caring for people and their families across the region and these awards celebrate the unique contribution that they make.”
Kate Quinn, Operational Director of HR and OD,
was on hand to present Barry with his award and congratulated him on his achievement. “This award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person. Barry is always looking to raise awareness of inequality and this award shows what a positive impact he has had to equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. Well done Barry”.
When discussing his recent win and what this nomination means to him, Barry said “I felt humbled by the nomination; since starting at the Trust, I have asked searching questions in respect of what can still be done to combat racial discrimination, so to be recognised for the challenge is very rewarding.”
“Understanding the value of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and putting the principles into action genuinely improves the quality of the working environment for all staff, and the care we provide to our communities. I take great pride in making a small contribution within an organisation that wants to achieve this.”