How We Work

WEDHS commitment to tackle racism Our Approach Involving People Promoting Equality and Diversity Funding Joint Initiatives Strengthening Research Protocols

WEDHS commitment to tackle racism

Wales is now a truly multi-cultural nation. It is important that we celebrate and cultivate our diversity and at the same time promote social justice and equality for all ethnic groups… We know that in some areas of public policy and services some ethnic groups are more disadvantaged or excluded than others. We also know that racism remains a problem in Wales. It can blight our communities and the day-to-day lives of people on the receiving end…

First Minister Rhodri Morgan
Wales Assembly Government’s Race Equality Scheme
2005 – 2008

Inequality is a pervasive fact of our world and it is evident that socially ascribed differences such as ‘race’ and ethnicity are strongly implicated in how inequalities in health and social care are patterned in Wales. As the above excerpt intimates, the promotion of the highest quality of health and social care practice, research and policy are also, unavoidably, political issues.

WEDHS Partners are committed to improving the health and well-being of the BME population in Wales through a programme of health and social care research and the development of a range of research support services. Rooted in the duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote equal opportunities and promote good relations among all ethnic groups, our commitment to promoting equality and to tackling racism runs through this research agenda.

Only by building equality into every aspect of our work; by involving, engaging and empowering BME patients, service users and community groups to make improvements to their health and social well-being; by actively addressing racism, and by improving the quality of research will we create a truly patient-centred and responsive service that is accessible to all groups within our society.