NHS Somerset Health Service

Equality and Diversity Publications

All the reports below are available in alternatives formats, please contact Catherine Brennan on 01935 381999 or Catherine.brennan@somerset.nhs.uk.

Somerset Equality Delivery System Cluster Group

The Somerset EDS Cluster Group has been developed to ensure a combined commissioner and provider approach to implementing the EDS across Somerset. The group is led by NHS Somerset and has representation from all Somerset healthcare providers: Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This commissioner and provider set up will aid engagement opportunities with our local interests in Somerset, which is further enhanced by the patient group Somerset LINks membership on the group. There is also representation from Somerset County Council to promote partnership working and sharing of best practice and Somerset Equality Officers Group. There is also representation and involvement from the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group.

Equality Delivery System Implementation Group

The first meeting took place on 16 January 2012. There is representation from every directorate within NHS Somerset to ensure an organisation wide approach to the EDS. There is also representation and involvement from the Clinical Commissioning Group. The first function of the group – and the purpose of the meeting on 16 January - was to analyse the evidence gathered on the 18 EDS outcomes, drawing on the self assessment that has already been completed internally, and to grade ourselves against the EDS criteria. This grading choice incorporated the contributions from the stakeholders that attended the EDS Conference on 28 November, which included representatives from the nine protected groups. NHS Somerset and local interests then agreed on the grade decision for each outcome. Using the grade as a starting point to understand our priorities, we set Equality Objectives and an action plan was developed. These equality objectives and actions are included in our Equality and Diversity Strategy which was signed off by the Somerset PCT Board on 22 March 2012. Please see below for a copy. Monitoring the Equality Objectives and action plan will form the second principal function of the EDS Implementation Group, the group meets quarterly and agendas and minutes are available below.

Agendas and Minutes

Equality Delivery System Publications

EDS Evidence and Grading Report - revised January 2013, this document has replaced the evidence and grading report below. (This incorporates the evidence that NHS Somerset has gathered on it's equality performance and the EDS grades that are currently being agreed by local interest groups)

EDS Conference 2012 Report - (report from conference held on 1 November 2012)

EDS Conference Feedback Report(feedback collated and summarised from the EDS conference on 28 November 2011).

EDS Evidence and Grading Report (this incorporates the evidence that NHS Somerset has gathered on it's equality performance and the EDS grades that have been agreed with local interest groups).
Equality and Diversity Strategy (this document contains equality objectives and actions developed based on an analysis of information available to NHS Somerset through impact assessment, needs analysis and other means together with the feedback from the engagement event in November 2011 with local interests and the EDS grades that were assigned (please see section 5 of the Equality and Diversity Strategy for equality objectives).
Please click here for the Somerset Intelligence Network which has the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

Guidance - Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on us to offer protection from discrimination to patients and staff based on the ‘protected characteristics’ of age, religion or belief, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships, Please click on the link below for more information.