Equality & Diversity

We published our Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme early in 2008.  While we are not required in law to frame our work in this way on delivering equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, we believe there are powerful reasons for putting a Scheme in place. We set out these reasons in the Scheme itself.
 
Consulting on our draft Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme provided an opportunity for Scotland’s community of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, the wider public, our own workforce and our NHS partners, to inform and influence the final shape of our Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme. Our membership of Stonewalls network of Diversity Champions in Scotland allowed us to provide relevant opportunities for public and private sector organisations who are also Diversity Champions and are outwith the health sector to comment on our Scheme.
 
In general, the range of comments received were positive, welcoming the clear direction and framework it provides and what it sets out to achieve. 

Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme (PDF)

Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme (Word)

One of our major goals in 2008 was to have entered the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and benchmark where we are in comparison to other private and public sector organisations.  We were unable to achieve that.  We are, in 2009, on target to achieve that goal and establish a baseline from which our performance will improve in the years ahead.

We had also intended to have established a staff network for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.  Again we were unable to make much progress in 2008.  In 2009 we have already started to engage with staff and with other NHS Boards to establish what kind of network would work best for staff – local Board networks or NHS Scotland wide networks.  We will work with our lesbian, gay and bisexual staff to put in place something which will work for them and for the NHS.

If you are interested in reading a more comprehensive report on what we have been doing on delivering equality and embracing diversity in the work of NHS 24, you will find our second Annual Report [available via the following link] in this area will provide most of what you are looking for.

Delivering Equality, Embracing Diversity (PDF)

Delivering Equality, Embracing Diversity (Word)

NHS 24 Scoops Top Award

NHS 24's Human Resources team won the Beachcroft award for diversity and equality at the recent Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence Awards ceremony, which has the Scottish Government as one of its sponsors.

HPMA is the professional voice of Human Resource in healthcare. Its purpose is to maintain and develop the people management contribution to healthcare in the UK. Supported by a strong branch network, it sets and promotes the highest standards in people management in healthcare.

The HPMAs judges were impressed with the work we are doing in delivering lesbian, gay and bisexual equality through our Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme; what at first glance might be seen as a niche project was, in fact, something that clearly has significance for both staff and service users.

The scheme was also highly commended in the overall winner category.

On learning of the award Carl Watt, Director of Stonewall Scotland said We are delighted NHS 24 has received this award. We are also pleased to be supporting NHS 24 in setting up an employee network group for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff, which will assist in increasing diversity awareness and further improving the workplace for LGBT current and future employees.

For more information please visit:

www.hpma.org.uk/sites/hpma.org.uk/files/HPMACompendium2010.pdf

 

What's It Got To Do With You ?

Some of you will have noticed that NHS 24, like a lot of other organisations, wants to know your business - your age, gender, sexuality, race, religion, whether you're disabled .... and more.

Rather than just rely on us assuring you it is for the best of reasons, Stonewall have kindly published a booklet which, as they say, offers '10 reasons why you should fill in those funny box things at the end of forms'. Download your copy here.

What's It Got To Do With You - Stonewall (PDF)

For further assistance please contact Wladyslaw Mejka, Equality and Diversity Manager, by phone 0141 337 4545, mobile phone 0776 731 0927, or e-mail at  Wlad.Mejka@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk or David Morrison, Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator, by phone 0141 337 4532, mobile phone 0783 340 2604, or e-mail at david.morrison@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk 

reviewed 11 May 2010 

---

The document(s) displayed on this page are Portable Document Format (PDF).  You can download PDF documents using Adobe Reader – available free of charge.

If your screen reader software (for example an audio-enabled web browser) is not compatible with Adobe Reader, Adobe provide a free online tool to convert the content of PDF files to text – so they can be understood by most screen reader applications.

If you would like a copy of our Sexual Orientation Equality Scheme or other documents referred to on these pages in an alternative language or format, such as audio tape, large print or Braille, please contact the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88.  Textphone users dial 18001 0800 22 44 88.