Date reviewed: December 2024
Reporting and Chair The BSG Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Working Group is accountable to the BSG Executive Committee. It will be chaired by the President Elect.
PurposeThe BSG is committed to promoting and delivering equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of its activities. We recognise that best practice of gastroenterology to optimise patient outcomes depends on having equality of opportunity for all healthcare professionals in gastroenterology.
The working group was first set up in recognition of the importance of EDI, with a remit to publish and deliver the BSG’s first EDI Strategy, which was delivered successfully, and the Society thanks all involved in this work to date. To continue to take this important work forward, the Working Group will have representation from all the strategic areas of the BSG to ensure continued delivery of the actions outlined in the strategy and good communication of progress of these actions with members. It will also discuss ongoing progress against issues of sexual misconduct in healthcare with the overarching aim that all members of the society feel safe and included in the activities of the Society and in the wider practice of gastroenterology.
Membership The membership of the BSG EDI Working Group is formed of:
- BSG President Elect (Chair)
- BSG Secretary or BSG Senior Secretary
- Chair or Deputy Chair of the five Higher Committees – Education, Training, Research, CSSC and International
- Trainee committee representative
- SWIG committee representative
- Nurse committee representative
- Elected Council representative
Accountability and governance- The group is accountable to the BSG Executive.
- The Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually to ensure it is fit for purpose.
- Where postholders change office, group involvement will pass to new postholders as required.
- The group will publish an annual update on progress on the BSG website for members.
Duties and goalsThe EDI Working Group’s responsibilities will include:
- Providing oversight of the development, monitoring and delivery of the EDI Strategy and setting aspirations for the future.
- Delivering an action plan on sexual safety in gastroenterology.
- Ensuring effective communication, implementation and monitoring of the impact of EDI and sexual safety work.
- Promoting positive equality, diversity and inclusion cultural transformation across the society and in its sphere of influence by challenging, educating developing and recommending changes to policies and practice.
- Improving the inclusivity and diversity of the society.
Meetings - BSG team will provide administrative support for the group meetings and core activities and workstreams as required.
- Meetings will take place approximately twice per year.
- Meetings will be organised by the office team in conjunction with the Chair.
- Notes, summarising outcomes and actions, will be taken by a member of the administrative team. These notes and actions will be sent to the chair for approval within two weeks of the meeting, and to members of the Group within three weeks.
- Agenda items and associated papers will be circulated at least one week before the meeting. Items for discussion should be declared in advance of the meeting. Any other business should only be used to discuss those items that were not known at the time of submission of agenda items.
- Group members with actions from the previous meeting should provide an update as appropriate at the following meeting.
