Working with PCTs

Your approach to Equality & Diversity can have practical and profitable results!

Equality Works has over seventeen years’ experience of delivering tailor-made, practical, focussed programmes of consultancy, advice and training which concentrate on making a difference to the way in which organisations integrate the management of Equality and Diversity into their day-to-day work.

We have added value by:

• Mainstreaming equality (disability, gender, race/ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief);
• Development and implementation of equality schemes, including Single Equality Schemes;
• Developing processes for Equality Impact Assessment;
• Carrying out equalities audits;
• Carrying out and providing guidance on equalities monitoring and consultation;
• Advising on the implications of the developing legal and regulatory framework for equalities and human rights;
• Providing solutions that are tailored to the NHS context and based on best practice within the health sector.

We focus on practical, engaging interventions that help people develop their skills in mainstreaming equality into their organisations.

We recognise that PCTs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance with the expanding legislative framework, alongside many other changes which continue to be made to modernise the NHS. From producing annual employment monitoring reports to ensuring that equalities are incorporated into contracts with external providers, PCTs must show that they are equipped to support their local communities in a way that reflects their diversity.

With a number of Primary Care Trusts, Acute Hospital Trusts and health and social care sector organisations as clients, we understand the prevailing cultures and are experienced at working with managers and staff from a range of disciplines and service areas.

A sample of our experience working with PCTs

Our clients within the health sector and the range of work which we have carried out for them include:

• Barnsley Primary Care Trust: we were commissioned to provide Equality Impact Assessment Training for managers from the provider and commissioning arms of the PCT. This included managers responsible for public health, corporate services and commissioning as well as service managers and practitioner leads.
• Bexley NHS Primary Care Trust: The programme undertaken with Bexley Care Trust was designed to support the individuals who have responsibility for equalities within their own organisations. The first session was a training workshop to ensure a consistent and shared understanding of an organisational approach to equalities.
• Newham Primary Care Trust: We provided Equality Impact Assessment Training for the Senior Management Team.
• Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust: We have provided a range of services to Waltham Forest PCT. In particular we carried out Equality Impact Assessments on the development of World Class Commissioning in NHS Waltham Forest, and on the transfer of staff to the provider side.

How Accessible are You?

Website Review for Waltham Forest PCT

The website is not only an area for holding documents but is often the first point of contact for both suppliers and customers. It is essential, therefore, that the information contained therein is accessible to all. Ensuring that a process of continuous improvement is in place in respect of available information for partners and the public goes a long way to improving customer care and increasing user involvement throughout the commissioning process. Another particular challenge in this area is developing communication support and access for key groups at a time of increasing demographic demand and static or reducing finances.

Equality Works demonstrated our capability to address these and other challenges when we carried out a review of Waltham Forest PCT’s website. We also reviewed key equality documents published on the site, to identify the documents required by law and other evidence of good practice. This included the consultation draft of their Single Equality Scheme which covers six equality strands and human rights and had recently been made available on the website. Our methodology reflected the approach of the CQC Race Equality Audit of all PCT websites.

This was followed by a follow-up telephone discussion to explore dates of publication, future publications and PCT information which may appear in other parts of the site / or which is available but not yet published.

Our report presented our findings from the review, highlighted areas for development and set out four key recommendations for the PCT.

The Results

Our experience covers a number of both public and private sector organisations each of which has a unique challenge to overcome. We have acquired a wealth of experience that we can bring to bear to advise and support your organisation. We are very commercially aware and will always seek to integrate our strategies with your business model so that everyone will be able to see that implementing good Equality and Diversity practices can result in financial savings and a happier workforce.

For a free consultation please contact us either via this link or by telephoning 0207 251 4939.