1.0 Foreword At NHS Sunderland CCG we are committed to ensuring that equality and human rights are taken into account in everything we do, whether that is commissioning services, employing people, developing policies, communicating, consulting or involving people in our work. This strategy reflects the Equality Act 2010 which provides a legislative framework to: • protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all • update, simplify and strengthen the previous legislation; and • deliver a simple, modern and accessible framework of discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society. The strategy describes a clear picture of the significant targets we have set in relation to equality and human rights. It is a long-term commitment driven by both equalities legislation and by the needs and wishes of our local people and staff. For that reason much of the work will be on-going over the next few years. We look forward to the work ahead, facing the challenges, and meeting the targets we have set ourselves. Dr Ian Pattison David Gallagher Clinical Chief Accountable Officer
Further information detailing the health profiles for Sunderland can be at: . Communications and engagement Public and patient involvement (PPI) is an integral part of the work that the CCG carries out, and we have a clear commitment to working with the public, patients, carers and communities and their representatives, to ensure health and social care services are shaped around what the people of Sunderland need. Our PPI strategy aims to: • Ensure appropriate and effective mechanisms are in place so people can be involved in the commissioning process at all stages • As part of ‘All Together Sunderland’, identify further opportunities for joint engagement and involvement activities with our partners • Use our based approach with key community, voluntary and interest groups, recognising their ability to reach further into communities • Ensure we meet our legal duties to engage and consult, for equality delivery, and relevant NHS policy for engagement including the NHS Constitution and case law for consultation. Through inclusive communication and engagement the CCG will continue it’s focus on engaging people from minority, marginalised and disadvantaged groups and communities. 4.0 What we need to do 4.1 Equality Analysis Essentially, equality analysis is about asking a simple question: Can everyone who needs to, use the service, no matter who they are, no matter what their background? And when they do, have we done everything possible to make sure it’s a positive experience for them? To be able to answer yes, we have to firstly do some thinking and research and secondly agree some actions. To ensure that our decision making is robust and does not discriminate we need to undertake an equality analysis. Equality Analysis (EA) is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty and is a process of systematically analysing a new or existing policy or strategy to identify what effect or likely effect will follow as a result of its implementation for different groups within the community. It can also be used as a mechanism for analysing the impact of a whole service or one aspect of the service. We have developed and implemented a tool and guidance for use by staff to help identify likely equality implications of any of our policies, projects or functions. Training has been provided to our and our Governing Body will consider the results of any analysis undertaken during the decision-making process.