Equality Delivery System

The Trust adopted the EDS in 2012 following the launch of the NHS framework and it is now firmly established in the Trust. It helps us evidence compliance with our public sector equality duties, improve the services we provide for local communities and provide better working environments for our staff.

Following a review of the EDS, Sir David Nicholson launched a revised and updated version EDS2, in November 2013, with the aim of simplifying the overall process. It is less onerous than the original framework, but still requires systematic engagement with patients and community groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The main purpose of the EDS was, and remains, to help local NHS organisations, in discussion with local partners including local populations, review and improve their performance for people with characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.

EDS2, like the original EDS is aligned to NHS England’s commitment to an inclusive NHS that is fair and accessible to all.

eds pic 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.

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.

Since April 2012, the Trust has used the EDS as a tool to progress equality across the Trust and to establish equality objectives. We have published the outcomes of our Equality Delivery System grading workshop from 2012 onwards.

In February 2014 saw the launch of a refreshed EDS (EDS2) and the Trust took the decision to undertake a full grading of the EDS2 Goals and Outcomes in 2014, which was repeated in 2015. The grading outcomes of the 2015 process and a summary report have been shared with NHS England, local Health and Wellbeing Boards, local Healthwatch organisations and other key stakeholders.

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.

Equality