The event took place at the Doncaster Dome in October and recognised Richard’s vital contributions in helping the Trust address health inequalities and supporting colleagues to develop services with an inclusive mindset.
As a key member of the Health Inequalities Team, Richard has been instrumental in shaping and delivering the Trust’s Tackling Health Inequalities Strategy, which aims to address the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes across the local community.
Alongside colleagues, his work has focused particularly on vulnerable groups, including people experiencing homelessness, Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities, and sex workers, who often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare services.
To respond to these challenges and provide learning materials relevant to colleagues throughout DBTH, Richard has developed the ‘Health Inequalities Training Pyramid’.
This innovative training framework is designed to raise awareness among colleagues and equip them with the tools to identify and tackle inequalities within their services.
The training is interactive and practical, ensuring colleagues have the knowledge and confidence to improve healthcare access for those who are most marginalised, ensuring no one is left behind.
Richard’s efforts are part of DBTH’s long-term plan to address health inequalities, and there is much work ahead to deliver on this ambitious strategy.
The Tackling Health Inequalities Strategy targets areas such as prevention, patient care pathways, maternity services, and the health of children and young people. It is underpinned by strengthening awareness across the Trust, understanding community needs, improving service delivery models, and promoting strong leadership to ensure equitable care for all.
Commenting on his award, Richard said: “It’s a privilege to be part of this essential work. Tackling health inequalities is core to our mission, and this training will help us support our most vulnerable patients more effectively, while encouraging colleagues to continue developing inclusive services. I’m grateful for the recognition and am committed to helping drive this work forward.”
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board at DBTH, praised Richard’s achievements, stating: “Promoting and supporting strategies that tackle health inequalities is of utmost importance to us as a Trust. Richard’s work has been transformative, and this recognition highlights the vital role our staff play in ensuring equitable care for all.”
Looking ahead, Richard is developing the next level of training to provide staff with actionable tools to initiate projects that further address health inequalities, particularly those affecting inclusion health groups. His continued efforts ensure the Trust’s services remain accessible, inclusive, and focused on improving health outcomes for all patients.
For more information about DBTH’s Tackling Health Inequalities Strategy, visit:https://tinyurl.com/dbthhealthie
