Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Better health outcomes for all

Services are commissioned, designed and procured to meet the health needs of local communities, promotes wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities

1.  In order to ensure that services are designed to meet the health needs of local communities, promote their wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities in line with the Trust’s clinical strategy, the organisation will systematically improve the collection, analysis and use of service outcome data for all protected characteristics, and relevant disadvantaged groups. 
Specifically –

• From 2012-13 the performance of the transitions between parts of our services as well as to other health and social care providers will be monitored to ensure; patients are better informed about their options and the pathways, the transitions are smoother and patients and their carers give increased positive feedback about their experiences by gender, age, ethnicity, compared to the whole population
• By 2013-14 relevant outcomes reported as part of the Trust Board performance dashboard will include outcome data for a minimum of five protected characteristic groups
• By 2015-16 relevant outcomes reported as part of the Trust Board performance dashboard will include outcome data for all nine protected characteristic groups where relevant.

2.     The improvements in meeting the health needs of local communities, promoting their wellbeing, and reducing health inequalities will be measured by the Trust Board as part of its review of the Trust’s clinical strategy and other mainstream service quality management.  The mechanisms used will include the annual EDS process.

• In line with the societal system approach of the Trust’s clinical strategy, the Trust will work in partnership to reduce health inequalities and promote wellbeing, specifically-
• By 2013-14, based on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for each borough, the Trust will develop profiles of the communities / protected characteristic/ disadvantaged groups currently suffering the most serve health inequalities and develop effective channels to reach them with information about services, self-help and wellbeing. 
• The Trust will work in partnership with patients and other community groups to ensure there is meaningful engagement and by 2015-16 this will include representation from individuals and groups covering all nine protected characteristics and key disadvantaged groups we serve. 

The level and effectiveness of engagement will be assessed by the amount and breath of involvement in key decision and policy setting fora and the quantity and quality of the input and impact groups have on changes to service and policy developments, training and senior appointments.  This will be monitored using evidence to the Patient/Service user strategy group and compliance data for the EDS

Providing better integrated and more holistic services

Individual patients’ health needs are assessed, and resulting services provided, in appropriate and effective ways

Changes across services for individual patients are discussed with them, and transitions are made smoothly”

The safety of patients is prioritised and assured. In particular, patients are free from abuse, harassment, bullying, violence from other patients and staff, with redress being open and fair to all

Public health, vaccination and screening programmes reach and benefit all local communities and groups

Improved patient access and experience

Patients, carers and communities can readily access services, and should not be denied access on unreasonable grounds”

3. The Trust will ensure through effective leadership, training and monitoring that staff respect and discuss with all patients their cultural, religious and spiritual needs as part of a holistic clinical assessment.

Specifically the Trust will

• Ensure that year-on-year the percentage of patients who when surveyed agree that they have been given the opportunity to discuss cultural/spiritual needs increases so that by April 2015 it is at least 90%
• Ensure that year on year the percentage of patients who when surveyed agree that discussions with staff about their care included their specific cultural/spiritual requirements, increases, so that by April 2015 it is at least 90%
• Ensure that year on year the percentage of patients who when surveyed agree that they have been given the ability to practice appropriate religious/cultural beliefs in hospital will be at least 90% by April 2015

Ensure that year on year the percentage of patients who when surveyed agree that they have been given information about practicing their religion and access to the chaplaincy service or other faith leaders will be at least 90% by April 2015

Developing excellent services and staff

Patients and carers report positive experiences of their treatment and care outcomes and of being listened to and respected and of how their privacy and dignity is prioritised”

Patients’ and carers’ complaints about services, and subsequent claims for redress, should be handled respectfully and efficiently

Empowered, engaged and well-supported staff

Recruitment and selection processes are fair, inclusive and transparent so that the workforce becomes as diverse as it can be within all occupations and grades

Developing excellent services and staff

Levels of pay and related terms and conditions are fairly determined for all posts, with staff doing equal work and work rated as of equal value being entitled to equal pay

Through support, training, personal development and performance appraisal, staff are confident and competent to do their work, so that services are commissioned or provided appropriately

Staff are free from abuse, harassment, bullying, violence from both patients and their relatives and colleagues, with redress being open and fair to all

Flexible working options are made available to all staff, consistent with the needs of the service, and the way people lead their lives

Inclusive leadership at all levels

Boards and senior leaders conduct and plan their business so that equality is advanced,  and good relations fostered, within their organisations and beyond

4. The Trust will review and revise its appraisal and performance management system to ensure that corporate values and objectives around staff engagement and motivation to deliver quality care to all are incorporated and measured. It will also incorporate the Competency Framework for Equality and Diversity Leadership framework into the process as applied to the selection, development and appraisal of managers. The staff experience tracker and other survey methods will be used to assess performance as well as the comments of ‘grand-parents’ on appraisals.

• In the first year 2012-13 the key performance indicator will be implementation of the revised system and the establishment of a baseline score. 
  For 2013-14 and 2014-15 the key performance indicators will be
  • an agreed increase over 2012/13 in the percentage of completed and signed forms returned to POD by the deadline
  • an improvement  in staff views as measured in local and national surveys.
• To reach as close to 100% as is practicable, for staff having an agreed annual performance review and PDP and returning completed forms to POD, by the deadline
• Through the performance appraisal system ensure leaders at all levels, including the Trust Board; actively incorporate the Trust’s values and commitment to mainstreaming equalities in their management activities.

Developing excellent services and staff

Middle managers and other line managers support and motivate their staff to work in culturally competent ways within a work environment free from discrimination

The organisation uses the Competency Framework for Equality and Diversity Leadership to recruit, develop and support strategic leaders to advance equality outcomes