Kaneez is driven by a determination to address health inequalities and is bringing strategic expertise to Leeds and York PFT in the field of community dynamics and in particular the impact of social and economic disadvantage on mental health outcomes. In doing so she has introduced cultural awareness principles and an understanding of the need for nuanced cultural sensitivity, using the cultural competency framework that she is skilled in communicating. As Chair of our Mental Health Legislation Committee Kaneez is overseeing a new approach to staff training building on the Human Rights Act and is also using her skills and insight to support our HR teams in developing a better understanding of the role played by ethnicity and class in the way services are both accessed and experienced, encouraging a richer understanding of the different needs of our communities. Kaneez is particularly effective in combining community stories with evidence and research. She has championed the voice of patients and service users, advocating for opportunities for these to be heard and making sure these feed into strategic planning. She has also been influential in making the case for proper collection and reporting of relevant data to inform decisions.
Merran Mcrae, Chair
Leeds & York Partnership, NHS Foundation Trust