Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our joint statement 

In anaesthesia, diversity is more than a principle - it is a necessity for excellence. Recognising the need for a more inclusive and diverse culture, the Association of Anaesthetists, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the Centre for Perioperative Care have united to set a new standard - one that ensures everyone feels valued, supported and empowered.

We stand united in our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture within our organisations and within anaesthesia, critical care, pain medicine and perioperative care. We recognise that our strength lies in our members, and we are dedicated to creating environments where everyone feels safe to be themselves, valued, and empowered to thrive, regardless of their identity or background.
 

Our commitment

We are committed to addressing the systemic inequalities and biases that exist within healthcare and healthcare organisations. We are determined to work proactively to challenge and dismantle these biases. We pledge to:

• Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as core values. We will embed EDI principles into all aspects of our organisations, from governance and leadership to education, training, policies and research.
• Promote a culture of respect and belonging. We will actively foster environments where discrimination, harassment, and bullying are not tolerated, where all individuals across our multidisciplinary teams are treated with dignity and respect.
• Address systemic inequalities. We will work collaboratively to identify and address the root causes of gaps in access, opportunity, and outcomes for underrepresented groups within our specialties.
• Enhance representation and participation. We will actively seek to increase the representation of diverse voices and perspectives at all levels of our organisations, including leadership positions, boards, committees, and working groups.
• Provide inclusive education and training. We will ensure that our educational programmes and training materials reflect the diversity of our patient and specialty population and promote culturally competent practice.
• Support and empower underrepresented groups. We will provide mentorship, sponsorship, and other support mechanisms to empower individuals from underrepresented groups to achieve their full potential.
• Promote data collection and transparency. We will collect and analyse data on diversity and inclusion to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. We will be transparent in our reporting, and accountable for our actions.
• Collaborate and share best practices. We will work together to share best practices and resources, and to learn from each other's experiences in advancing EDI.
• Actively listen and respond. We will create accessible channels for feedback and actively listen to the experiences and concerns of our members.
• Zero tolerance. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination, racism, harassment, or bullying.
   

Our actions

To demonstrate our commitment, we will:

• Develop and implement comprehensive EDI strategies and action plans.
• Establish clear mechanisms within our organisations for reporting and addressing incidents of discrimination and harassment.
• Provide regular EDI training and education for our committees, boards and staff.
• Support colleagues to call-out and escalate discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour.
• Review and revise our policies and procedures to ensure they are equitable and inclusive.
• Regularly share and learn from good practice.
• Encourage the establishment of EDI forums and networks.
• Partner with other organisations and stakeholders to advance EDI in healthcare and healthcare organisations.
• Regularly review this statement and update as needed.
   

Our vision

We envision a future where the specialties of anaesthesia, critical care, pain medicine and perioperative care are truly inclusive and equitable, where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives. By working together, we can create a culture of excellence that benefits, our patients, our members and the wider healthcare system.