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Equality and human rights play a vital part in the work of the Department of Health. Every member of society is likely, at some point, to be a recipient of health and social care. DH welcomes diversity in society, acknowledging that experiences, aspirations and needs are also diverse.
This applies equally to minority groups, those who have been traditionally excluded and to those whose voices are seldom heard by the health and social care system.
DH and the NHS work together to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in their workforces, whilst endeavouring to recruit and retain a diverse range of people at all levels. DH also works with colleagues across the NHS to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes.
The Department has set out how it will, through its Single Equality Scheme, meet its legal duties required by equality legislation as well as on age, religion and belief and sexual orientation.
This document serves as the overarching framework for all of the Department’s activities in relation to equality, including existing and future Race Equality Schemes developed under the Race Relations Act (as amended) by the Department and its agencies.
This summary is aimed at NHS commissioners and those involved in service development, responsible for developing local communication support services and strategies. These local strategies should form part of wider actions to provide equitable access for local communities and to achieve patient-centred services.
The General Whitley Council (GWC) has reached a new agreement which supersedes Sections 7 to 13 of its Handbook. The aim of this agreement is to make equality and diversity part of everything that the NHS does. This agreement should be inserted in the handbook as Section 7 and registered as GWC handbook amendment No. 113.
The new Commission for Equality and Human Rights became operational on 1 October 2007 (with the Commission for Race Equality joining in 2009).
