Equality Impact Assessment

Under the Equality Act 2010 the Trust has an obligation to:

• Evidence the analysis that has been undertaken to establish whether our policies and practices have (or would) further the aims of the general equality duty.
• Provide details of information that we have considered when carrying out an analysis.
• Provide details of engagement (consultation / involvement) that we have undertaken with people whom we consider would have an interest in furthering the aims of the general equality duty.

In order to meet the requirements of this duty the Trust will use the Equality Impact Assessment process which has been developed to be compliant with the Equality Act 2010.

An equality impact assessment (EIA) is most effective when used at the primary stages of planning and is expected to be used for the following activities:

• Organisational change
• Considering any new or changing activity
• Developing or changing service delivery
• Procuring services
• Developing projects
• Developing a policy / procedure / guidance or changing or updating existing ones

It is used to assess whether there may be any barriers or difficulties, harassment or exclusion, or in fact any positive impact such as promotion of equality of opportunity, developing good community relationships, encouraging participation and involvement as experienced by service users, patients, carers, relatives, staff, the general public and key stakeholders.

“When completing an equality impact assessment also consider whether the Trusts values & behaviours are addressed. Our values & behaviours are as follows:

Patient Centred and Safe: This centres on patient safety, team work and continuous improvement.
Professional: This focuses on being open and honest, efficient and acting as a good role model.
Responsive: The expectation here is that staff will be action orientated, with a "can do" attitude and that they innovate, take personal responsibility and listen and learn.
Friendly: We would expect staff to be welcoming, treat people with respect and dignity and value others as individuals.”

The EIA form should be completed taking into consideration the guidance and an action plan completed.

Process for approving Equality Impact Assessment:

All EIA’s should be sent to the line manager as soon as they have been completed for sign off, with a copy sent to the Head of Diversity & Inclusion.

Some EIA's will be available on the Trust intranet and website, and some subject to audit by external organisations such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission and it is therefore important that the documents are of a high quality and accurately reflect the time and effort which staff devote to ensuring that Trust services, activities and policies or procedures are progressive, seek to remove barriers and promote equality and diversity.

Who should complete an Equality Analysis?

The EIA should be completed by staff who have undertaken the MLE online Equality Impact Assessment training which will equip them with the tools needed to complete the EIA template.

Support and advice can be obtained from the Head of Diversity & Inclusion.

Further advice and support:

If you would like further advice or support to complete the EIA Template please contact:

Elizabeth Swift

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Telephone: 01722 336262 Ext: 5834

Email: elizabeth.swift1@nhs.net

Please use the Equality Impact Assessment template. please click on these links if you would like any further information on Equality Impact Assessment guidance  or on the Equality Impact Assessment policy.