THE stigma associated with facial disfigurement is being targeted by Southend Hospital.

Hospital bosses have signed up to face equality, a campaign to overcome facial discrimination, which can have devastating effects on people’s lives.

A survey earlier this year showed 90 per cent of people judge those with disfigurements as less socially skilled, less likely to succeed, less attractive and less likely to lead happy lives. The campaign hopes to change people’s perceptions towards anyone with a facial disfigurement by holding a series of talks and presentations.

Hospital staff have also drawn up a training programme to give advice and guidance to staff on the appropriate way to respond to people with facial disfigurements.

Southend Hospital chief executive, John Gilham, said: “While we always try to provide a caring service, it could be, by our unwitting reactions to people with facial disfigurements, we are creating distress instead of helping. It applies to staff as well as patients.

“As an employer, we recognise all staff are of equal value and worth. We want to raise awareness, both inside and outside the hospital, and encourage everyone to show support for face equality.”

The hospital has already hosted a talk by James Partridge, who founded Changing Faces, the national charity behind the face equality campaign.

Mr Partridge, who was severely disfigured by a car accident in his teens, said: “We are delighted Southend Hospital is taking the lead as the first NHS organisation to show a real commitment to face equality. We hope other NHS trusts and public sector organisations follow its example.”