The Equalities Scheme

In July 2009 Oxfordshire PCT’s Board approved the single Equalities Scheme which is a public commitment of how we plan to meet the needs and wishes of local people and our staff, the challenge of the NHS constitution, and the duties placed on us by equalities legislation. Discrimination on the grounds of race, disability and gender (including transgender) contravenes the law and equality must be positively promoted.

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has made a strategic commitment to adopting a single Equalities Scheme approach. This Scheme therefore also includes actions on age, religion and belief and sexual orientation. These additional ‘equality strands’ are included in the Equality Bill which, at the time of writing, is due to go through parliament. The new Equality duty is designed to streamline currently equality duties.

The six equality strands:

The six equality strands addressed by the Scheme are:

Age
Disability (including learning and physical abilities, sensory impairment and mental health problems)
Gender (including transgender / transsexuals)
Racial Group (colour, ethnic origin, nationality and citizenship including gypsies, Roma & travellers and asylum seekers and refugees)
Religion or belief
Sexual Orientation

Benefits

The benefits of a single Equalities Scheme include:

A recognition that inequalities are rarely experienced in isolation, but are often interdependent; a single Equalities Scheme provides us with the opportunity to think more holistically
A focus on the ‘whole picture’ when planning and delivering services
Improving patient outcomes for people from all equality target groups
A commitment to making the most of resources and investment. Many of the systems and processes for the promotion of equality are common to all strands, for example consultation, equality impact assessments and data collection

This scheme sets out how Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust recognises the differences between people, and how we aim to ensure that (as far as possible) any gaps and inequalities are identified and addressed.

Consideration of Human Rights is an important factor in the production of this scheme. An appreciation of how the principles of Human Rights apply to Equality is vital to achieving the aims and objectives outlined in this scheme. Human Rights underpin all our aims, objectives and actions towards addressing inequality and valuing diversity.

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust is also a major employer employing approximately 2,740 people. The needs and aspirations of our staff will vary according to individual circumstances, and we recognise that choices relating to employment with us must not be adversely affected by race, disability, gender, age, religion or belief or by sexual orientation. The diversity of our workforce enriches us all, and allows us to deliver the best services possible.

Moving Forward

This Scheme is a fully ‘live’ document in that it will be regularly reviewed and strengthened. Ongoing work is also taking place to explore how best to allow stakeholders to hold the Trust to account for the commitments made, and to increase involvement in and therefore ownership of this Equalities Scheme.

Action Plan Updates

September 2010	The first yearâ€™s action plan was completed (please see below for update).
September 2010 to March 2011	It was agreed by the steering group to extend this action plan until the end of March 2011 and to add actions relating to the Community Health Oxfordshire transition process.
March 2011	Additional actions agreed relating to preparation for the Equality Delivery System (EDS) to ensure compliance with the Equalities Act (2010) Â