The Staff Disability Forum exists to provide a support network for staff and to facilitate positive changes in the organisation. Staff engagement and feedback is vital for the organisation to work together. The Staff Disability Forum was established in 2015.
If you would like to join our Staff Disability Forum please contact: ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot and if you wish to join the Forum’s mailing list, please be assured that your personal details will not be disclosed and you can be part of the Forum anonymously. Emails sent will always be blind copied.
The Forum has a social media presence on Facebook.
To be added to our mailing list, please email ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot.
Please see the drop-down below for information about the Neurodivergent Sub-Group.
Staff Disability Forum Chair
Atika Sharma is Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Learning Disability Physiotherapist within Glasgow City HSCP. Atika looks forward to continuing to grow and develop our Disability Staff Forum.
Kate Ocker is Vice-Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Research Nurse, based at Gartnavel General Hospital. Kate helps to lead the Forum with commitment and determination and shares “I developed my own disability in 2005. It came out of the blue and turned my world upside down. My experiences of how I was then treated and perceived have left me with a burning passion to make sure nobody ever has to face that. Working together, we can achieve a valued, diverse workforce. I would love to see more people accessing the Staff Disability Forum for support, to contribute and above all, to make a difference. Sharing good practice is as helpful as raising concerns. You can contact in confidence, or you can join meetings and know that your voice is heard and valued.
I have been involved with the Forum since the beginning and I am delighted to see the steady growth. But there is still the need to spread the word that every voice matters. I am pleased to be stepping back as Atika takes over as Chair, with her huge compassion, energy and new perspectives. I will continue to give my support through the Forum.”
Martin Savage is also Vice-Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Carers’ Information Worker within Glasgow City HSCP.
Our Staff Disability Forum aims to:
- Promote equality
- Protect staff against discrimination
- Encourage colleagues to share their lived experiences
- Empower staff to feel able to confidently disclose their disability
Disability History Month 2024
The Staff Disability Forum will be celebrating Disability History Month which runs from 14 November to 20 December 2024. Our programme of stalls and events will be published on this page once finalised.
You can find out more about Disability History Month online.
Terms of Reference
Neurodivergent Sub-Group
A Neurodivergent Sub-Group has been established, with the purpose of the group being to:
- Provide Neurodivergent staff members with support and a safe place to be our Neurodivergent selves.
- Provide input into NHSGGC policy and procedures where appropriate.
- Provide, where appropriate and where group members have the time, advice to the wider NHSGGC staff group regarding matters related to Neurodivergence.
To contact the Sub-Group, please email ggc.staffndgroup@nhs.scot
Meeting Dates for 2024
Please contact ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot for details on how to join.
- Monday 4 November from 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Remote Drop In Sessions 2024
Drop ins are a regular feature to allow for networking, general support and raising any matters people are finding interesting or challenging. They take place on the second Tuesday of every month from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
- Tuesday 12 November
- Tuesday 10 December
Please contact ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot for details on how to join.
Reasonable Adjustment Guidance
We have launched the updated Reasonable Adjustment Guidance to support employees with a disability, health condition or diversity in the workplace to have, a great experience at work. This guidance can be used in conjunction with the Workplace Adjustment Passport.
Useful Links
Our members have found the following links useful resources. If you would like to suggest any more for inclusion, please email ggc.staffdisabilityforum@nhs.scot
Accessible Toilet Facilities
https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card
Adult Autism and Neurodivergence Support
Autism Understanding Scotland – reframing the narrative around autism
Arthritis
Versus Arthritis | All of us pushing to defy arthritis
Axial Spondyloarthritis, including Ankylosing Spondylitis
Your SpAce | National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (nass.co.uk)
Bowel Conditions
https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/
Cardiac arrhythmias
Home – Arrhythmia Alliance – UK (heartrhythmalliance.org)
Cerebral Palsy
Home – UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement (upmovement.org.uk)
Ehlers-Danlos (connective tissue syndromes)
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK – Support for people touched by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
The HMSA | The Hypermobility Syndromes Association
Headaches and Migraine
OUCH(up) – Cluster Headache Charity | Support for Sufferers & their Families (ouchuk.org)
Multiple Sclerosis
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (For Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Long COVID)
Renal Disease
Stroke Survivors