Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Strategy (Draft update)

Racism and discrimination are fundamental drivers of health inequalities. Tackling these issues is not only a moral imperative but a legal and strategic one, embedded in the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. In Gateshead, we recognise that systemic racism affects access to services, health outcomes, and workforce and residents' experiences. Our commitment to this Marmot Principle reflects a broader ambition to create an inclusive, equitable health and care system. 

Research consistently demonstrates that individuals subjected to racism or discrimination experience higher rates of chronic stress, and illness. Systemic biases within healthcare systems often result in inequalities in access to quality care and treatment outcomes among people from minoritised backgrounds and their communities. 

By actively tackling racism and discrimination within the building blocks of health, we can not only improve the health and well-being of affected populations but also create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.  

The action we will take

We will:

• support local voluntary groups that work with minoritised communities, and provide advice, advocacy, and signposting to specialist services for victims of racism and discrimination  

• ensure we hear from minoritised communities, they are included in decision making and able to advocate for their needs 

• build trust and strengthen community cohesion between different communities and local institutions 

• increase awareness of hate crime reporting and work with partners to improve support for victims of hate crimes 

• ensure fair and equitable access to culturally competent services across all communities, supporting staff across organisations to be active bystanders (who challenge unconscious bias, racism and discrimination) and are trained in cultural competency  

• develop a dedicated partnership to drive action forward to tackle racism with support from the Health and Wellbeing Board 

• review and update the Health Needs Assessment and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for race and faith communities in Gateshead 

• improve data collection and monitoring of service use, complaints, and workforce demographics and build trust for service users and employees to share their protected characteristics.  

• address the negative health, social and economic impacts of hate crime and racism through providing appropriate and timely support to affected residents and communities, through coordinated VCSE, health and commissioned services 

• promote fair recruitment practices to reflect our population diversity in the workforce, ensuring support, learning opportunities and career progression through staff networks and mentorship 

We will deliver this through:

• Local VCSE organisations and Connected Voice (Haref Network and Allies) 

• Workforce Development and Inclusion   

• Community Engagement and Co-Production  

• Data, Evaluation and Transparency 

• Using Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Heath Equity Assessments to review policies, services, commissioning and budget decisions 

• Community Cohesion Strategy (in development) 

• Community Safety Board 

• Safer Gateshead Partnership Plan 

• Community Tensions Monitoring group 

• All of Our Equality policies and strategies  

• Prevent Duty and Partnership plan 

• Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust Strategy 

• CNTW Strategy 

• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements 

• Great North Healthcare Community Promise 

We know we will have made a difference when:

• people from different backgrounds interact positively and respectfully 

• people feel safe, supported and empowered to be part of their neighbourhood and community 

• there is a shared vision and sense of belonging across Gateshead and its communities 

• inequalities and barriers to service access and participation are known and actively addressed 

• hate crime, racism and discrimination is prevented 

• local organisations are trusted and seen as accessible, fair and inclusive