A LOCAL health trust has been praised for its work on promoting equality and diversity.

The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to the people of Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, has been nationally recognised for good practice.

The Trust is one of just three NHS organisations in Yorkshire to be successfully appointed as an equality and diversity partner supported by NHS Employers. The Trust was announced as the only specialist mental health and learning disability organisation in the region to be appointed for 2010/2011.

Trust officials will at the forefront of developing equality, diversity and human rights good practice both within the NHS and across the wider public sector.

In total, just 26 NHS Trusts across the country have been selected as partners after a rigorous selection process.

Dawn Stephenson, director of corporate development and head for equality and diversity in the Trust, said: “Being named as an equality and diversity partner is something we are very proud of as we are committed to good practice.

“Our Trust is built on a commitment to be responsive and support the diverse needs of the communities we serve.”