Our Approach to Equality and Diversity
Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing first class services that are responsive, provided by staff that reflects the Bolton Community and is equally accessible to, and appropriate for, all who are entitled to use them with the patient at the heart of our care.
Equality
Equality is the framework that enables opportunity, access, participation and contribution that is fair and inclusive.
Diversity
Diversity is the acknowledgement and respect of differences within and between groups of people. From that acknowledgement and respect, improvements to services and employment arrangements may be identified and implemented.
Equality & Diversity Good Practice
It is important that staff are able to understand the diverse needs of different cultures and customs. The ‘Getting it Right for Everyone’ document provides guidance on communicating with different groups, so that we recognise and value the difference between people.
Training Strategy
The Trust has an Equality and Diversity Strategy for staff training in conjunction with 5 Boroughs. There are four levels of training provided linked to the Knowledge & Skills Framework (KSF). The Trust has e-learning in place for Equality & Diversity basic and intermediate modules.
The Equality Act 2010
In October 2010, the Equality Act came into effect, prior to this time there had been over 100 pieces of legislation covering equalities protections and alongside them there is three associated public duties for race, gender and disability. The Equality Act has 9 protected characteristics defined as:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Gender Reassignment
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Religion or belief - this includes lack of belief
- Sexual Orientation
- Ethnicity/Race
Equality Impact Assessments
When we are writing or making any changes to Policies, services or functions, we complete an EIA form this helps us to consider the impact any changes have on different groups and what can be done to reduce discrimination and increase equality.
Equality Delivery System
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust uses the Equality Delivery System (EDS) initiated by the Department of Health that helps trusts to deliver against their statutory requirements in promoting equality and valuing the diversity of its staff and service users.
Public Sector Equality Duty Compliance
The Public Sector Specific Equality Duties require NHS Trusts to publish information that demonstrates compliance with the general equality duties. This needs to be done on an annual basis. The duties contain both general and specific duties which include the 3 aims and that we have due regard to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
By publishing relevant equality information it is envisaged that it will make public boards more transparent about their decision-making processes and accountable to their service users. It also aims to give the public the information they need to be able to hold public bodies accountable for their performance on equality.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust publishes the following reports that demonstrate our compliance:
The reports show who uses our services.
Single Equality & Human Rights Scheme 2007 to 2010
Service Area Relevance Review & Policy Equality Impact Assessment Process
Workforce Analyses
- Equality & Diversity Activity Report
Report to analyse 'Did Not Attend' data available in the
Trust's
LE2.2. System to determine if there are any
identifiable
inequalities in those accessing the services. [7.91Mb]