Diversity and equality

Whatever your job, and wherever you work, valuing diversity will have an impact on you

Whatever your job, and wherever you work, valuing diversity will have an impact on you. These pages support RCN members at work and keep you up to date with events and news in this field.

Equality Act 2010

Deadline for publishing information

NHS organisations in England, Scotland and Wales that are subject to the specific public sector equality duties should now have published information that shows they are meeting the requirements of the duty to promote equality. The official deadline for doing this is 31 January 2012.

This information must include information relating to people who share a relevant protected characteristic and who are:

  • its employees (for organisation’s with more than 150 staff)
  • people affected by its policies and practices.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published guidance to help public bodies decide what equality information they need to publish.

The EHRC will assess the information that has published across the NHS and other public sector organisations by reviewing their websites. They will have a particular interest in assessing:

  • Whether equality information can be found at all, how accessible it is and the ease of navigation. We’ll also be looking at how organisations have structured the information and how effectively they have signposted site visitors to it
  • How comprehensive the equality information is about people with the different protected characteristics who are affected by its policies and practices such as service users or about employees
  • Whether authorities have a clear approach to having due regard to the aims in the general duty in their policy and decision-making
  • Whether authorities are preparing to comply with the new duty requirement to publish equality objectives by the end of April. We will do this by looking at whether listed bodies have published or are consulting on draft objectives.

For more information about the Equality Act 2010 please email the diversity.team@rcn.org.uk or visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website for more information about the public sector equality duties.

Creating a personal, fair and diverse NHS

The NHS Employers organisation is working on a campaign with the Equality and Diversity Council to encourage NHS staff to help turn the vision of a personal, fair and diverse NHS into a reality by signing up to be a champion. For more information and to sign up, visit www.nhsemployers.org/PFDchamps

Tell ten challenge

The Royal Free in partnership with the Irish Travellers Movement in Britain have developed an innovative DVD which is designed to improve outcomes for Irish Travellers using maternity services. The DVD contains three short films that are designed to raise cultural awareness amongt staff, provide an opportunity for Irish Traveller women to voice their perspectives as service users and provide information to Irish Travellers communities about maternity care services.  For more information about the project or to obtain a copy of the DVD you can telephone 0207 607 2002, text 07813152680 or email grace@irishtraveller.org.uk.

Defend the Equality Act

The Government’s Redtape website was launched recently. This website allows people the opportunity to comment on unnecessary regulations. However the approach taken in relation to the Equality Act 2010 is different from the approach taken to all the other areas currently under consideration in that, instead of referring to specific regulations, the website appears to invite people to comment on the Equality Act 2010 itself and whether it should be scrapped. Unsurprisingly although there are some excellent responses that make it clear that the Equality Act is primary legislation and not a series of regulations.  What needs to be done – urgently.

  • Go to the website and write your views on the Equality Act
  • encourage others to respond before the end of what may be a two week deadline – ask people to note that the Equality Act is primary legislation not a regulation
  • ask people to highlight how improper this process is, given that ostensibly people are being asked to comment about regulations but the entire Equality Act 2010 appears to have been put up for scrutiny
  • ask people to comment positively about the act and the regulations.

Equality Act 2010

On 5 April 2011 the public sector equality duty (the equality duty) came into force in England, Scotland and Wales. This duty replaces the existing race, disability and gender equality duties.

The equality applicable duty was created by the Equality Act 2010 and it will replace the race, disability and gender equality duties. The duty covers age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. It will apply in England, Scotland and in Wales. The general duty is set out in section 149 of the Equality Act. In summary, those subject to the general equality duty must have due regard to the need to:

  • eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • advance equality of opportunity between different groups
  • foster good relations between different groups.

The duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination also covers marriage and civil partnership. The Equality Act also gives ministers the power to impose specific duties through regulations. The specific duties are legal requirements designed to help those public bodies covered by the specific duties meet the general duty. The Government recently announced that it was considering making changes to these specific duties. The Diversity and Equality Unit will provide further guidance on the Equality Act 2010 shortly.

 

Good corporate citizenship assessment model for NHS is launched

The Sustainable Development Commission and the NHS Sustainable Development Unit have launched the new Good Corporate Citizenship Assessment Model.

This resource can help you understand your organisation's progress on sustainable development, and includes a self-assessment test, case studies, and a networking forum.

In a message of support, NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson said: "corporate citizenship is critical to the future of the NHS", and calls on boards and chief executives to take ownership of it. 

The Good Corporate Citizenship Assessment Model can help you transform the NHS and make it more sustainable - through your decisions on procurement, travel, buildings, workforce, facilities management and community engagement.

The benefits to acting as a good corporate citizen can help your organisation to:

For more information you can visit the Corporate Citizen website.

Diversity toolkit

The RCN takes an innovative approach to sharing information. Find out more about this new resource in the Diversity toolkit section.

Diversity champions

The RCN wants to recruit 1000 activists to champion diversity and equality issues locally. As a registered champion you will receive the latest information and specialist support from the RCN diversity team.

Be the change you want to see in the world and sign up to become a diversity champion today.

Contact us

We want to hear your suggestions for ways that we can enhance the RCN's support for you and your colleagues. You can either email diversity.team@rcn.org.uk or write to:

Diversity and Equalities Unit
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0RN.