'Seeing the inequality' - people's experiences of racial inequality

West Yorkshire Integrated Care System Schwartz Round – free to everyone working or volunteering in health and care in West Yorkshire

This Round will have a clear focus on the experiences of staff and volunteers that relate to racial inequality. Three colleagues will tell stories recounting the impact of experiences relating to racial inequality that have stayed with them.

Schwartz Rounds provide a confidential and structured space where staff and volunteers, clinical and non-clinical, can come together to reflect on the emotional impact of working in health and care. Evidence shows that people who attend Rounds may feel less stressed and isolated, with increased insight and appreciation for each other’s roles.

What to expect:

11:00 MS Teams room opens- optional 15 minutes of quiet time, where you may wish to make a drink and allow yourself some space away from your work before the Schwartz Round commences promptly at 11:15.

11:15 The Schwartz Round will commence promptly and the facilitators will explain more about what to expect. NB Entry will not be allowed after 11:15.

Story tellers- You will hear stories from up to three local staff or volunteers whose experiences may resonate with you and may help you to work through your own.

Whole group reflections- The facilitators will let you know when you can share your reflections should you wish to. Contributing to the round is optional, you may wish to simply listen to the stories and reflections of others.

The purpose of Schwartz Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that come from working within health and care, it is not to solve problems or to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care.

We ask that all those attending the Round agree to uphold confidentiality of all participants and the stories and reflections shared.

12:15 Round will close

More about Schwartz Rounds

The purpose of Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that come with providing care, it is not to solve problems or to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care.

Rounds can help people feel more supported in their jobs, allowing them the time and space to reflect on their roles. Evidence shows that staff who attend Rounds feel less stressed and isolated, with increased insight and appreciation for each other’s roles. They also help to reduce hierarchies between staff and to focus attention on relational aspects of care.

The underlying premise for Rounds is that the compassion shown by staff can make all the difference to a patient’s experience of care, but that in order to provide compassionate care staff must, in turn, feel supported in their work.

Rounds can help you to have:

• Increased insight into the social and emotional aspects of care

• Increased confidence to deal with sensitive and non-clinical issues relating to patients

• Beliefs in the importance of empathy and human connection

• Openness to expressing thoughts, questions and feelings

• Decreased feelings of stress and isolation

• Improved team work and interdisciplinary communication

• Specific changes in practices gained from insights