The award follows a detailed assessment of how DBTH supports colleagues, listens to concerns, challenges discrimination and takes a proactive approach to tackling racism. The assessment also covered the trust's work with a patient safety engagement group in maternity services.

Bronze status is the first level in the framework and reflects important foundations being put in place, rather than a finished piece of work.

DBTH's Bronze award reflects strong leadership at board level, ongoing cultural awareness work, support for colleagues' career development, and good practice through partnerships such as The Changing Lives project with the midwifery team.

The organisation has also been involved in wider community work, including the Doncaster Anti-Racism Partnership, which was previously shortlisted for a national award for its collaborative approach.

Zoe Lintin, chief people officer at DBTH, said: 'Around one in five of our colleagues come from ethnic minority backgrounds, and it is vital that everyone feels valued, heard and supported to succeed here.

'This recognition is not an end point. It is a starting point for continued improvement, learning and accountability, and we are determined to keep raising our standards for our colleagues and our communities.'

DBTH says that in the coming years it plans to continue working towards higher levels in the framework by strengthening its approach, listening carefully to colleagues' experiences and embedding inclusive practice into everyday work.