Equality monitoring

 

Equality monitoring is the process used to collect, store, and analyse data about people’s protected characteristics which can be used to:

• Understand who is accessing hospital services and whether this is representative of the community we serve
• Equality monitor performance to identify if there is any difference in experience between different groups
• Identify trends
• Highlight possible inequalities
• Investigate the underlying causes of any inequalities
• Seek to put actions in place to redress any unfairness or disadvantage.

What data do we need to collect and why?

The Trust is collecting personal information required under the Equality Act 2010 (in relation to the protected characteristics of gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religious belief, age, marital and civil partnership status, pregnancy, and maternity). 

Collecting this data will enable the Trust to understand the profile of patients and ensure that all members of the community are accessing services. This will also enable the Trust to equality monitor services and practices to ensure that no discrimination is taking place and that all groups are receiving the same level of service irrespective of the background and to make changes to meet the support needs for particular groups (such as putting reasonable adjustments in place, through appropriate policies, awareness-campaigns). The questions about individual details are also asked so that the Trust can comply with requirements under the Equality Act 2010. Unless the Trust can effectively monitor access to services, and performance from an equality perspective the trust will not be able to evidence that all patients are treated fairly and equitably.

Why aren’t you asking if patients are registered disabled?

Since 2000, there is no requirement for the compulsory registration of individuals as disabled.

What is the definition of a disability?

The definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 is if you have a physical or mental impairment. your impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities.

For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:

• 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
• 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)
• 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping

People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also protected by the Act.

Progressive conditions considered to be a disability

There are additional provisions relating to people with progressive conditions. People with HIV, cancer or multiple sclerosis are protected by the Act from the point of diagnosis. People with some visual impairments are automatically deemed to have a disability.

Conditions that are specifically excluded

Some conditions are specifically excluded from being covered by the disability definition, such as a tendency to set fires or addictions to non–prescribed substances.

Do I have to complete the equal opportunities monitoring form?

We are required by law to ask for equality and diversity information, but you are not obliged to provide it. If you do not want to tell us, then you can tick the box to say you do not wish to disclose or leave the field blank, however we would encourage you to provide us with this monitoring information to help us to support your diversity and to help us to ensure that our services are fair and equitable for all.

How will this form be used?

The information contained in this form will be treated in complete confidence and access to it will be restricted. It will be used in statistics to monitor and analyse patient profiles in comparison to the local community, to analyse and monitor performance. The statistical information will be invaluable in reviewing progress under our equality’s agenda. None of this information will be used in a way that can identify individual patients.

Where will the equal opportunities monitoring information be published?

Equality statistical monitoring information will be published annually on the Trust website. This is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010. The statistics will also be reported in internal performance reports that will be used to understand how the Trust is performing around equality and make improvements.

How do I access information held about me?

You have the right to see the information that we hold on you, to do this you will need to request a subject access request form.