In common with other NHS organisations Milton Keynes Community health Services (MKCHS) is required to publish information to demonstrate compliance with the public sector Equality Duty (PSED) by 31 January 2012. This requirement arises from the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011.
What is the specific duty?
As set out in Regulations, organisations are required to publish information to demonstrate their compliance with the PSED at least annually, not later than 31 January 2012, and subsequently at intervals of not greater than one year beginning with the date of last publication. (The Regulations, section 2) 3
MKCHS has worked hard to develop and integrate equality and diversity into all of its clinical and supporting activities. Assisted by a dedicated Equality Manager the organisation is working hard to make sure that there is patient and user involvement.
1. Our evidence to show how we have given due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Act is as follows
- HR Annual report
- Patient and Environmental Audits (Peat Surveys)
- Disability Access audits
- Equal Pay Audit
2.Our evidence to show how we given have due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it includes:
Equality Delivery System templates
3. Our evidence to show how we have given due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
EDS templates
Staff support group meetings - over the last year we have worked hard to build wider support for staff support group and dignity champions activity. We held three special staff support group events to raise awareness of equality issues and the impact on health services:
• Bullying and Harassment
• Human Rights in a healthcare setting and;
• Transgender
The Equality and Human Rights Commission, as the regulator of the equality duty, has announced plans to review public sector websites in February 2012 to evaluate the approach that is being taken to comply with the duty to publish equality information. The Commission will be particularly interested in looking at:
• How easy it is to find the equality information and whether it is also easy to understand.
• How comprehensive the equality information is, with regard to its potential and actual service users as well as its employees.
• Whether public bodies have identified what their information gaps are and whether they have clear plans to address them.
• Whether public bodies have published any information to demonstrate how they have used their equality data to inform decision-making.
If you have any questions about the information on this website or want to suggest ways in which we can make this information more accessible please contact: communications@northants.nhs.uk or call 01604 651744.
You can access all the information relating to the Equality Duty by clicking here.
