An Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Review
CAHPR recently underwent an independent review of its purpose, objectives and current structure. One thing which was identified in the review was a need for a clear and comprehensive EDI strategy for AHPs.
Health Education England (HEE) has funded a review project which will ensure that future CAHPR associated research and activity is representative, improves access to research, provides support for underserved populations and produces relevant, applicable and high quality research.
Project leads, Anita Atwal and Meera Sharma tell us the project aims and how to get involved.
We would like to very much engage and work with the CAHPR and wider AHP community, to evidence current practices and explore potential possibilities. Therefore, would like to invite you to get involved through the following options:
- We are setting up a research steering group
- We are starting FAIResearch Community Engagement.
Join us for either of these through our website and email us fair4ahps.com Fair4ahps@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from all AHPs, especially under-represented individuals.
The two research priorities we are working on are:
- Review existing national schemes to understand and explore inequalities and identify opportunities for the potential role that AHP researchers and AHP/public health research can play to help reduce these inequalities.
- Review EDI in CAHPR and conduct a survey of member professions to establish how CAHPR is representative, diverse, inclusive and equitable to those with protected characteristics.
Health inequalities are ‘unfair and avoidable differences in health, across populations, and between different groups within society’. (The King's Fund 2020). Allied Health Professionals have been challenged to reduce inequalities which could be related to access, diagnostics, treatment, experience, funding and workforce skills to address health outcomes inequalities (Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2021).
Fairness is critical to health inequalities and may mean that different population groups may need additional support to ensure that they can compete and or have the same chance or opportunities. It has been recognised that within Allied Health Professionals unfairness exists in relation to career advancement and work force issues. Indeed, within the 5 year Allied Health Professions Strategy (2021) there is a clear pledge to tackle social justice issues as well as inequality, to ensure a fair and inclusive workplace for all communities.
The landscape for AHP researchers needs parity with other health professions and must include all the allied health professions, across roles and services, for all those with protected characteristics and from smaller professions, in each of the devolved nations.
Keep linked in through the CAHPR news on the website, the FAIResearch website and on Twitter fair4ahps
Take part in the Research Steering Group and through FAIResearch Community Engagement
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