Tanya Carter is on the list compiled by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) of the BAME figures who will exercise the most power and/or influence in the English NHS and health policy over the next 12 months.
Tanya, who was on last year’s HSJ ‘rising stars’ list, has been included in recognition of her work at ELFT, which this year became the first community and mental health trust to achieve three successive ‘outstanding’ ratings by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The HSJ referenced Tanya’s innovative #hellomynamereallyis, encouraging staff to use their given names rather than using and offering more English-sounding ones to assimilate.
Tanya has also worked on tackling pockets of bullying within the organisation and the differing experience of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff.
During one of the COVID lockdowns, the trust instituted a programme of online learning for trust employees who were struggling to work from home and homeschool their children. The programme employed several agency teachers and helped more than 1,500 children across seven weeks.
“I feel incredibly proud to be recognised for two consecutive years and to be included on a list which includes so many people that I know and admire,” said Tanya.
“I also see this very much as recognition of the work by so many incredible colleagues here at ELFT to champion equality by continuing to be bold, courageous and innovative, in order to improve the experience of our staff, patients and service users, for whom diversity is something to be celebrated.”