CHAMPION paralympic swimmer Sarah Bailey has added her weight to a drive to improve equality in the NHS.

The 27-time gold medal winner was the guest speaker yesterday at a seminar organised by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

The event at Darlington's Blackwell Grange Hotel was the first of its kind to be held by the trust, which was selected as a pioneer for the Department of Health's Positively Diverse programme.

The trust is now training others to support staff and patients with cultural, family, ability and sexual differences.

Sarah, who was born with no left hand, has been swimming at the highest level since 1992 and holds 48 world records.

Her presentation Looking Beyond Labels revealed the many prejudices she has exp-erienced due to her disability.

She said: "As someone who has experienced real discrimination, I am delighted to see that the NHS is taking such a positive step towards addressing such a serious issue."

Seminar workshops focused on issues such as disability, working with schools, improving the work environment and international recruitment.