Kez Hayat, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has a son Hassan, who has a condition called Alstrom syndrome. His condition means he has full vision loss, hearing difficulties, and other health complications such as type 2 diabetes. This rare condition, affecting only 700 people in the UK, requires regular trips to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for care from a multidisciplinary team. His father has dedicated much of his life to supporting him and attending his medical appointments.
When he first started working for the NHS, Kez was excited about his role, but as Hassan’s needs grew, the pressure of balancing work and caregiving became overwhelming. At one point, he even thought he might have no choice but to give up his job. However, he decided that being open and honest with his employer was essential. He had a conversation with them about his situation, and this led to a supportive, give-and-take relationship with work. With this support, he was able to continue excelling in his leadership role whilst having the flexibility to care for his son.
One of the key outcomes of this conversation was his involvement in championing the carer’s passport, a tool designed to help colleagues have important discussions about the flexibility required to balance work and caregiving. This initiative has been especially important to him, as it enables other carers to better manage their dual roles.
Kez said: “My experience has taught me that it all starts with really disclosing what's happening for you. It means I'm able to do my job well at work and at home too. I am so proud of the man that my son has become and to have this kind of backing from work has been life changing.”