BTS Policy on Inclusion, Diversity and Equality

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) is a membership organisation which exists to improve the care and health outcomes of people who have lung disease.   We do this by harnessing the experience, knowledge, skills and contributions of our members, supported by a small staff team, and involving people with lung diseases in the development of our advice about service development and clinical management.  We will only be successful in pursuit of our objectives and mission if we engage with and use the talents and commitment of the full spectrum of people eligible for BTS membership.  

We aim to attract and retain a membership body that reflects the respiratory community, including the various job roles that exist in respiratory teams, and to encourage all members to consider actively participating in planning and delivering our activities via our network of Committees and Advisory Groups.   In this way our members will also serve the broad objectives of the Society and contribute to the development and improvement of our Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (IDE) policy. 

We have, and aim to retain, a talented and diverse staff.  We are committed to their continuous professional development and to ensuring that our recruitment, retention and development processes enable us to promote and maintain the diversity of our staff. 

VALUES/BELIEF STATEMENT

We believe that it is vital for any organisation working in the public realm, and especially for BTS given our mission, to actively combat discrimination and inequality and create and maintain inclusive environments in which people feel respected, valued, safe, trusted, and have a sense of belonging.

We believe that when people feel included their diversity adds value; and we are committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities served by our members and other stakeholders in our membership, leadership, and workforce.

We believe that all who engage with BTS should feel confident that they will be treated equally well, and we expect everyone formally connected to the Society to treat each other with respect.

We believe that equality and diversity encompasses more than the 9 protected characteristics[1] cited in the 2010 Equality Act, and in consistently striving to be an organisation that treats everyone equally well, through our policies, processes, and practices, we will go beyond mere compliance with the legislation.

Read the full BTS IDE Policy here

June 2021

[1] The ‘protected characteristics’ are: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.