Equality Delivery System

In August 201, the Trust made a commitment to implement the NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS) with effect from April 2012. The EDS has been designed to deliver better outcomes for patients and to help NHS organisations to meet both the public sector Equality Duty and the Specific Duties of the public sector Equality Duty.

The EDS will also help NHS organisations to meet:

equality aspects of the NHS Constitution
equality aspects of the NHS Outcomes Framework
equality aspects of CQC's Essential Standards
equality aspects of the Human Resources Transition Framework

Implementing the NHS Equality Delivery System within the Trust

The EDS is all about making positive differences to healthy living and working lives by providing services and workplaces that are personal, fair and diverse. The purpose is to drive up the equality performance of the organisation and embed equality into mainstream business. EDS workshop

The needs and circumstances for service users, carers, communities and staff from protected groups and disadvantaged groups can be distinct and specific. In providing quality services and workforce environments that are appropriate and effective for all, organisations should prioritise and promote equality. This makes sense on many levels as the majority of patients, carers and staff will have at least five or more characteristics protected by the Equality Act.

Over the next four years the Trust will use the EDS as a tool to progress equality across the Trust and to establish equality objectives. We have published the full report of our Equality Delivery System grading and objective setting process.

The Trust reviews progress towards the objectives, and reviews the objectives themselves in the light of this, annually. We do this with a group of diverse stakeholders, including patients, partners and governors. The report of the 2013 review has been published.

If you would like to know more about the grading process or be involved in working with us in future please contact Angela.Rayner@secamb.nhs.uk . Telephone 01737 363858, SMS/text:07771 958085 or Textphone (via TextRelay) 18001 01737 363858. Fax: 01737 363881