Equality Analysis

What are our responsibilities?

The Trust has a statutory obligation to meet the general duty of the Equality Act 2010 with regard to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

In order to comply with the duty, the Trust must pay due regard to the thee directives of the general duty above and provide assurance that it is complying with the requirements set out in the Equality Act with regard to its functions, services, policies, procedures and strategies.

This means that when the Trust is reviewing, planning, delivering and evaluating its functions, policies and services, that it assesses through what is now termed an Equality Analysis, whether these may have an impact that could be unfair, adverse or discriminatory against any of the Human Rights Articles and the following protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion and Belief
• Sex (gender)
• Sexual Orientation

Equality Analysis replaces what was referred to previously as an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). The revised specific duties for the Equality Act 2010 have removed the directive to undertake an Equality Impact Assessment on all functions, policies and services. They have also removed the previous duty to publish all EIAs. However, there remains the legal requirement to pay due regard to the general duty. Click on these links for more information:

Public Sector duty

Specific Duties

In order to adhere to the revised specific duties, the Trust must consider the relevant protected characteristics and Human Rights Articles in its functions, policies and services and in doing so undertake an equality analysis.

In order to assist with this process, the Trust has formulated an equality analysis screening pro forma and full equality analysis pro forma. 

Click here for Equality Analysis Screening pro forma

Click here for the full Equality Analysis pro forma

For further guidance on Equality Analysis click on the Department of Health Link DH guide

Further Information

For further information on the Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust Equality Analysis and related work streams, please contact Joe O'Grady, Equality & Diversity Manager. Human Resources Department - 01244 364283 or email joe.o'grady@nhs.net

Note:

The general duty with regard to Marriage and Civil Partnership applies only towards 'eliminating unlawful discrimination' and not 'advancing equality of opportunity' or 'fostering good relations'.