Public Sector Equality Duty & Equality Delivery System

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a new, legal, public sector equality duty (PSED) requiring public bodies to declare their compliance with the duty on an annual basis. This means that as a CCG we must show compliance with both the general and specific duties of the PSED.

In the exercise of its functions, for the general duty we must have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010;
• Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
• Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

Protected characteristics – in the context of the PSED – are defined as:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality
• religion or belief – this includes lack of belief
• sex (male & female)
• sexual orientation
  
  It also applies to marriage and civil partnership, but only in respect of the requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination. 

Specific duties

We must prepare and publish one or more equality objectives we thinks we should achieve to support the PSED (above). The objectives must be published not later than 13th October 2013 and at intervals of not greater than four years. Each objective must be specific and measurable.

We must publish information, not later than 31st January each year, to demonstrate compliance with the PSED. The information published must relate to persons who share a relevant protected characteristic who are:

- our employees (only when employing 150 people or more);
- other persons affected by its policies and practices.

Equality Delivery System 2 (EDS2)

The Equality Delivery System 2 (EDS2) is a tool to help the us  review our equality performance and to identify future priorities and actions. Its aim is to enable the NHS to deliver better outcomes for patients and communities and better working environments for staff, which are personal, fair and diverse.

At the heart of the EDS is a set of 18 outcomes grouped into four goals. These outcomes focus on the issues of most concern to patients, carers, communities and staff. It is against these outcomes that performance is analysed, graded and action determined. The grading of the CCG will be carried out by local people across Cheshire on a yearly basis.

The four EDS goals are:

• Better health outcomes
• Improved patient access and experience
• A representative and supported workforce
• Inclusive leadership

The grades for EDS are as follows:

• Undeveloped
• Developing
• Achieving
• Excelling