Bradford Hospitals Ramadan Allies Project Wins National Award

Inclusive initiative recognised at APNA NHS Awards

A project supporting Muslim staff to observe Ramadan while working at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has received national recognition. The Ramadan Allies project was awarded the Impactful Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion – Team Award at the Asian Professionals National Alliance (APNA) NHS Awards held in Liverpool.

About the Ramadan Allies Project

The Ramadan Allies initiative was developed by the Trust’s Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Team. Its aim is to foster an inclusive environment where staff can observe Ramadan fully and comfortably during working hours, while maintaining patient care and service delivery.

Key features of the project include:

• Fast Packs: Distributed across the Trust, these packs contain dates, water, a prayer timetable, and a cool bag to support staff fasting during Ramadan.
• PROP Packs: Provided to managers and allies, these enable the creation of prayer areas within wards or departments, reducing the need for staff to leave their work area to access prayer rooms located some distance away.

Impact and Recognition

Nearly 200 staff members have become Ramadan Allies, helping Muslim colleagues balance their religious observance with their professional responsibilities. In the previous year, around 1,000 Fast Packs were distributed throughout the organisation.

Professor Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, commented on the award, highlighting the voluntary efforts of the SPaRC team and the support from Bradford Hospitals Charity in promoting inclusive wellbeing initiatives.

The Ramadan Allies project has attracted interest from more than 15 other NHS trusts considering similar schemes to support their staff during Ramadan.

About the APNA NHS Awards

The APNA NHS Awards celebrate individuals and organisations demonstrating leadership and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion within the NHS and local authorities. APNA NHS is a voluntary organisation representing health and social care professionals of South Asian heritage.

For more information, visit www.apna-nhs.org.