ENSURING the top tiers of leadership in Bury are diverse will have a positive impact on the health of the town says the council chief executive.

Bury health bosses are working towards making their staff diverse at all levels following a report into the makeup of their staff.

On the whole Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is a good employer for black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME).

However, Geoff Little, chief officer of the CCG and chief executive of the council, said: “That good performance stops when you get nearer the top of the organisation and we have a responsibility to address that.”

He explained the CCG needed to see what could be done to address this including helping staff development.

He said: “If we don’t we won’t be able to provide effective services that are relevant to our population.”

The report presented to the CCG last Wednesday revealed in Greater Manchester BAME groups are “1.5 to 2 times more likely to get a job at interview than their white colleagues” and “1.5 to 2 times more likely to be subject to a formal disciplinary panel than their white colleagues”.

Across Greater Manchester the public sector is working towards improving this.

The CCG’s said evidence has shown that organisations with diverse leadership and workforce are more successful, innovative and sensitive to local health needs.

These are important strengths for a CCG which plans and purchases services like community, mental health and hospital services, with a view to meeting the needs of the local population.