Disabled NHS workers describe being 'outed and mocked'

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust has published the results of a survey of staff living with disabilities on the discrimination they have faced.

It comes after a similar study involving black and minority ethnic (BAME) workers exposed a culture of bullying at the organisation.

The latest survey has produced equally scathing results, with some workers detailing harrowing experiences of feeling "mocked" for their conditions and not being supported.

One worker said: "I have been directly 'outed', mocked and asked why I am doing my job in front of colleagues and a deceased patient and bystanders.

"Colleagues looked uncomfortable, one did ask if I was okay but did not challenge this."

Another worker, who lives with autism, reported often hearing senior staff members and managers say: "We are all on the spectrum".

The staff member said: "This is belittling of the difficulties I experience and shows minimal understanding at best of neurodiversity."

A third worker said they were left unable to access areas of their workplace because there was no lift, meaning they have their breaks at their desk.

The survey saw the trust invite 330 workers to have their say, with 233 agreeing to take part - 71pc of those included.

Of these, 41pc said they would not feel comfortable discussing their emotional wellbeing with their manager or colleagues.

One response reads: "I have been told - surely you can't do your job with your type of disability - not how can we best help you do your job."

Another said: "95pc of staff are ignorant of my condition and do not understand how it affects me.

"More education is required on neurodiversity - not just a two minute video which they show during refresher weeks."

Tom Abell, chief executive of EEAST, apologised to colleagues that had experienced discrimination.

He said: "It shows that there is a lack of awareness which can lead to discrimination and inappropriate language along with some instances of poor behaviour at the trust.

"Respondents also felt concerns were not always dealt with effectively.

"I am truly sorry to all of my colleagues who have experienced discrimination.

"I am clear that behaviour like this has no place in our trust and will be eradicated."

The earlier survey, exposing instances of racial discrimination, sparked an angry reaction.

Among its findings was that the husband of a manager at the trust had dressed in 'black face' for a staff party.

It also contained cases of workers making monkey sounds at colleagues and describing foreign languages as "gobbledygook".

However, respondents to the latest survey raised concerns that the trust's focus on addressing racial discrimination had led to other types being overlooked.

A worker said: "The trust is so focused on BAME groups that little consideration is given to other groups - particularly when the condition is not visual."

The research is due to be discussed by the trust's board of directors at a meeting on Tuesday, May 9.

In a report going before the board, Caroline Nwadu, head of culture and inclusivity at EEAST, said the trust would be rolling out additional awareness training for trust leaders and employees.

The study was commissioned at the same time as a separate survey into the work experience of LGBT employees.

However, bosses agreed to publish these results separately, with findings of the LGBT survey to be shared in due course.