Race Equality Scheme Plan Second Review 2009 2011 1. Introduction The first 3 yearly review of the 2002 Race Equality Scheme was published in May 2005. This second review and update will inform the development of the Trust s Single Equality Scheme during 2010/11. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to taking steps to provide equal access to health care for all. The Trust serves a very diverse community which has changed since the 2001 census. For example the Eastern European and refugee communities have both grown in Sheffield during this time. Comments from service users were invited during the development of the scheme action plan however comments from service users are always welcome and can be forwarded to Rhian Bishop Organisational Development Manager at Rhian.bishop@sth.nhs.uk 2. Action plan The following actions demonstrate progress to date and areas identified for further work during 2009-11 Theme 1: Assessing functions and policies, or proposed policies for relevance to meeting the general duty A number of impact Impact assessments ongoing. assessments have been Directorate s undertaken and published on the website. Each service and policy area identified as relevant to the general duty will have conducted further impact assessments within an agreed timescale. Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people will receive services that are appropriate to their needs and compliant with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RA(A)A). The Colour of Health is distributed within the hospital which makes staff aware of the needs of BME patients. Recent initiatives have included staff from infectious diseases working with the refugee community and midwives going out to the travelling community to ensure pregnant women get Continue to develop an information resource regarding disease patterns and health inequalities for BME people. Ongoing Ensure the recently established Equality and Human Rights Group takes steps to further promote equality in the Trust Trust Secretary
appropriate antenatal care. Spiritual and cultural nursing care guidelines have been developed to ensure the differing needs of patients are met. Theme 2: Arrangements for assessing and consulting on the likely impact of proposed policies on race equality Events held to consult with Use a variety of methods to people from BME communities involve appropriate BME when the original scheme was communities during the developed. Community views consultation stage of any during corporate strategy assessments that are relevant consultation process were to meet their need sought from wide range of Directorate s groups. People from BME groups are consulted and involved in the decision processes when reviewing, planning, developing or evaluating services, facilities and policies Recruitment drive held to encourage more BME people to join user groups/join Foundation Trust BME staff network set up but has ceased to exist due to lack of attendance Work with the Staff Side to establish a BME staff panel. Theme 3: Monitoring policies for any adverse impact on the promotion of race equality To assist the process the Equality impact assessment Trust has: strategy to be reviewed. Developed an equality Further training to be impact assessment provided. strategy Developed an impact Further work required to assessment toolkit ensure patient ethnicity data is Trained some staff always collected. members on conducting Director of IMT impact assessments The Trust policy for policy Analyse results and make development stipulates available data to inform impact impact assessments are assessments conducted prior to policy Directorate s / being approved. Information Manager Ensure relevant assessments are conducted on existing or proposed policies and functions Trust wide for likely impact on race equality. Ensure systems are in place to monitor the uptake of services from BME groups to ensure their needs are being met users Patient information is captured electronically
Theme 4: Arrangements for publishing assessment, consultation and monitoring reports All information to date can be found on the Trust s internet site To ensure that the members of general public and other public authorities have access to all information relevant regarding our Race Equality Scheme and impact assessments Reviewed action plan and all impact assessment results to be posted on the intranet and internet site Theme 5: Arrangements to make sure the public have access to information and services To ensure the general public and particularly BME communities are kept informed about the Trust business and services Patient information being reviewed Ongoing Patient Information Manager A pictorial communication guide has been produced which aids patient care for non English speakers A translation service has been established and is available to all directorates. It can provide information in a variety of formats A telephone interpreting service has been introduced providing quicker access to a greater number of languages Offers of presentations made to a variety of community groups and invited to comment on the new Corporate strategy. Evaluate the uptake and the effectiveness of the service Patient Partnership Continue to post relevant information on the internet for public access ensuring those who require a different format are able to request it Patient Partnership /s
Theme 6: Arrangements for training staff The duties of the RR(A)A are Continue to train as many staff included on Induction sessions as possible for staff Staff will be confident and knowledgeable in dealing with people from BME communities Staff will be aware of the their responsibilities regarding the general and specific duties of the RR(A)A Cultural competence training has been offered to staff. A variety of equality and diversity e learning packages are available for staff. Equality and Diversity training is mandatory for all staff. Review the content of new training packages to ensure the message regarding fulfilling the equalities duties is clear Use results from Staff Survey to inform a review of the Equality and Diversity Training strategy Further develop our training capacity to include E-learning options and integrating Equality and Human Rights into current training provision where possible Head of Learning and Development Theme 7: Employment duties: Employment information is now recorded on the ESR HR/payroll system To ensure effective monitoring systems are in place to capture all the information required to satisfy the specific duties of the RR(A)A The results from staff monitoring is published on the STH website i.e. Number of: staff in post Applications for: o Employment o Training o Promotion Number of staff who: o Receive training o Are subject to capability procedures o Are involved in grievance procedures o Are subject to disciplinary procedures o Cease employment Analyse workforce ethnicity data more fully and target areas for action. Director of Human Resources
Theme 8: Procurement Procurement briefed about the need to conduct impact assessments To ensure the Trust obtains goods, works and services from external providers who promote race equality in their own organisations To conduct an initial impact assessment on our procurement services and Estates Supplies Department Estates Directorate Theme 9 Partnerships Worked with new deal for communities to recruit BME people onto our Regional Employability Programme The Trust is viewed by external partners as an organisation that practices and actively promotes race equality Apprenticeship and cadet schemes target local communities Events held to promote the NHS as a good employer to local BME communities Trust advertises in Equality Britain. Partnership formed with Sheffield NHS/public sector organisations to create a citywide equality and human rights group. Continue to target underrepresented groups in terms of employment opportunities Human Resources Department February 2009 NB Since the development of this action plan Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have commissioned and Independent Equality and Diversity Review due to report at the end of 2009. The recommendations will be incorporated into this action plan as appropriate.