« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES
The Health and Wellbeing portfolio is responsible for developing and running effective policies and programmes that:
- protect and improve the health of people in Scotland;
- tackle health inequalities;
- promote equality, and tackle discrimination, prejudice and disadvantage;
- provide high quality health care and social care services, person-centred and close to home;
- promote social inclusion and reduce poverty;
- increase the supply of good quality, affordable housing and prevent and tackle homelessness;
- regenerate communities; and
- promote physical activity and participation and success in sport.
These policies and programmes support the achievement of our objective for a healthier Scotland, promoting greater wellbeing among all those living in Scotland. They also underpin the delivery of other programmes across portfolios to promote equality and to tackle poverty, disadvantage, discrimination and prejudice.
PROMOTING DISABILITY EQUALITY
We know that around 20% of the population are disabled people, but that disabled people are not a homogenous group. There are many types of disability, including physical or sensory impairments, mental health conditions, learning difficulties and long term health conditions such as HIV. There are also gender, ethnicity and other dimensions. And we know that the incidence of disability increases with age and therefore demographics suggest that disability will affect a larger proportion of the population in future.
We recognise that many disabled people experience unequal access to our services and unequal health outcomes. Access is not just about the built environment, it is about the attitudes and practices that permeate every aspect of services. We know that disabled people are more likely to live in circumstances which put them at greater risk of poor health: poverty, unemployment, poor housing, lack of choice and control, and poor access to goods and services are all known predictors of poor health, with significant costs to the individuals concerned and society.
We will take action to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people by:
- embedding 'Fair for All: Disability' within NHS Health Scotland
- development of our e-Health strategy to ensure information on patients' individual needs and circumstances can be effectively communicated across different parts of the health system
- redesign of the NHS Wheelchair & Seating Service
- promoting uptake of self-directed support as a means of enabling disabled people to have more flexibility, choice and control over their social and health care
- co-ordinating implementation of the report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities
- supporting national disability led organisations to build the capacity of disabled people and promote engagement with service delivery
- delivering clearer and more generous provision of grant for housing adaptations for disabled owners
- development of a framework for tackling poverty, inequality and deprivation
- working with all our Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games partners to ensure planning continues to address disability equality
Disability Equality Action Plan
Name of Directorate or Agency
CHIEF NURSING OFFICER DIRECTORATE
Directorate or Agency responsibility
CNO Directorate provides policy and professional practice advice on all issues relating to nursing, midwifery, Allied Health Professions ( AHP) and Health Care Scientists. It develops, implements and evaluates policy on education and training, regulation, modernising NMAHP careers, leadership, recruitment and retention, patient experience, eHealth, mental health, children's and midwifery services. It also provides professional leadership to the NMAHP and Healthcare Scientists professions in Scotland working closely with the professional bodies and NHS managers.
The Directorate is also responsible for (1) Clean Hospitals including Healthcare Acquired Infection, (2) The National Programme for Patience Experience and (3) the provision of advice to Ministers on cross-professional regulation and workforce standards for both the regulated and unregulated workforce. It also ensures an effective contribution to the international fora including the Scotland/Malawi Initiative.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps deliver the Government's national purpose and outcomes
The Directorate is committed to delivering opportunities and service in respect of the responsibilities noted above to the whole of Scotland, taking account of the different needs and helping achieve the aspirations of the community at large either as individuals or as members of discreet subsets.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
The close working relationships between Chief Nursing Officer Directorate and Higher Education Institutes allows the Directorate to have a live and evolving understanding of issues faced by disabled people looking to become student nurses and midwives.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcomes |
|---|
Student nurse and midwives recruitment | Monitor recruitment process and issue guidance as required to ensure the process remains barrier free (developed in conjunction with representatives from student bodies and HEIs) | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Barrier free recruitment - increased application from, and enrolment of, disabled people |
Develop and target advertising and PR specifically for disabled people | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Increased number of enquiries from disabled people about studying nursing and midwifery in Scotland |
All national student recruitment campaigns to include positive portrayal of disabled people, improved website accessibility, use of subtitles in TV campaigns, availability of text phones and other communication methods | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Increased number of enquiries from disabled people about nursing and midwifery education opportunities in Scotland Improved perception among disabled people that HEIs takes account of disable students needs to achieve their goals |
Consultations/ publications | All events, websites and publications will be accessible, promote equality and provide positive portrayal of disability | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | On going | improved access to events, information and increased engagement of disabled people |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcomes |
|---|
All | Equality Impact Assessment forming part of policy development processes including engagement with representatives from disabled groups | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
Senior staff and Ministers take opportunities for engagement with disability groups/events and issues. Ensure positive disability messages are included in speeches | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Better understanding of disabled peoples needs and aspirations to improved policy development and delivery |
Policies to include options to maximise the potential of disabled people | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
Maintain dialogue with, and seek guidance from, Equality and Human Rights Commission as appropriate | Chief Nursing Officer Directorate | ongoing | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Chief Medical Officer Directorate
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
To work with Ministers, our delivery partners and other stakeholders to protect and improve public health and to oversee the clinical effectiveness of healthcare services in Scotland.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
The CMO Directorate's commitment to promoting disability equality is reflected in its business plan which aims to meet the healthcare needs of all people in Scotland.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
These are already well understood. Knowledge is kept up to date by involving people with disabilities, their carers and support groups in consultation processes and on appropriate Directorate working groups.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Management of long term conditions: Meeting the needs of people with Post Polio Syndrome | Facilitating a SMASAC (Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee) working group to assess needs and current service provision, in order to report and make appropriate recommendations to SGHD | Craig Bell Dr AS Watson | | Identification of healthcare needs of people who are experiencing the long term sequelae of poliomyelitis |
Better Cancer Care A discussion | Meeting Fair for All Disability Group | Dr JL Armstrong | Closing date for consultation 5 May 2008 | Improved access to screening services and more training for NHS staff on care of people with disabilities |
Ensure Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) is performed | JLA, Alistair Pringle, Sarah Grierson | Summer 2008 |
Palliative Care | Ensure EQIA is performed | JLA, Alistair Pringle, Mark Aggleton, Colin Brown | | Improved palliative care services for people with disabilities |
CMO's annual report to First Minister | Where appropriate, at least one in five of the images used in the publication will reflect disability | CMO Dr M McWhirter | Autumn 2008 | To promote positive attitudes towards people with disabilities |
Refreshed CHD and Stroke Strategy | Ensure EQIA is performed. | W Scott A Keel A Pringle | Autumn 2008 | To ensure equality of access to services for disabled people. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
HEALTH FINANCE DIRECTORATE
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
The Directorate consists of three divisions - Health Finance Division, Capital and Property Planning Division, and Health Analytical Services.
Key functions of Health Finance Division are:
- Financial Reporting and Control, covering financial data analysis, accounting processes and financial reporting as well as technical accounting guidance, audit and governance issues;
- Financial Performance Assurance, covering financial management advice and assurance to the Delivery Directorate, all Health Boards and the health programme budget holders within the Health Directorates; and
- Financial Planning and Development, covering planning and project manage, policy and quality assurance, leads on efficient government and best value and on developing performance measurement and benchmarking.
Key functions of Health Analytical Services are:
- Supporting policy development, implementation and evaluation by providing appropriate and relevant evidence, advice and analysis through an integrated analytical approach; and
- Providing analytical support in the measurement and reporting of the performance of health and community care services;
to work closely with ISD, other NHS organisations, and local authorities to ensure the availability and application of high quality information.
The Capital and Property Planning Division has responsibility for those policies relating to the physical assets (property, medical equipment and IT) from which healthcare services are delivered and for allocating and managing the capital resources made available to NHSScotland to invest in modern, fit for purpose assets. This includes lead responsibility for the Health Directorates' Capital Investment Group which approves and monitors delivery of major investment projects developed by NHSScotland Boards.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
This directorate is committed to delivering disability equality for its staff. It is also committed to ensuring that NHSScotland policies, procedures and services for which it is responsible take account of disabled people's needs and experiences.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
Health Analytical Services has developed an evidence base around equalities/ inequalities through the commissioning of social research, work with ISD, the regular data collections which ASD undertake, our work with the Health Inequalities Task Force and our work with Patients and Quality /Fair for All (which has now become part of Health Scotland). Health Analytical Services knows that the issues for disabled people also depend on their gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, level of deprivation and religion/ belief
Health Analytical Services know that there are inequalities in the prevalence of long standing limiting illness and / or disability: For example:
- People living in the most deprived 10% areas are almost three time more likely to have a limiting long term illness than those living in the least deprived 10% areas ( SFDA);
- The prevalence of limiting LTC increases with age, ranging from 7% amongst 16-24 year olds to 54% amongst those aged 75+ years ( SHS);
- For all ethnic groups, at least 40% of people aged 60+ years report themselves to have a long-term illness or disability. This is highest for the Pakistani group at 66% (2001 Census).
The mental health and wellbeing also appears to be worse amongst some specific groups. For example:
- Mental health problems affect more women than men. Specifically, women experience higher rates of depressive disorders than men. However, men are more likely to complete suicide and experience earlier onset of schizophrenia with poorer clinical outcomes than women ( SDCMH);
- Those who have a low income, find it difficult to manage on their income or live in a deprived area are among the more likely to have had experience of mental health problems (personal or of someone close to them), display more signs of psychiatric disorder and have less positive mental wellbeing scores (Well? What do you think?).
- Comparison of teenage and older mothers showed that teenage mother suffer from poorer mental health in the first three years after their child's birth ( BHPS);
- Rates of attempted suicide and self harm have consistently been shown to be higher amongst young and adult LGBT people ( SDCMH).
There is also evidence of inequalities in access to and use of health services. For example:
- People with learning disabilities and mental health problems are receiving some health checks and treatments less often than the general population, for example: cholesterol checks and statins for people with heart disease; spirometry for respiratory illness; blood pressure for stroke; BMI checks for diabetes - despite having a higher prevalence of these conditions ( DRCFI);
References
BHPS British Household Panel Survey
DRCFI Disability Rights Commission - Formal Investigation - Health inequalities (2006)
SDCMH Scottish Development Centre for Mental health; Equal Minds - Addressing Mental Health Inequalities in Scotland, 2005.
SHS Scottish Household Survey
Social Focus on Deprived Areas 2005 - Health ( Scottish Executive National Statistics Publication)
Well? What do you think? Survey; MORI (Commissioned by the Scottish Executive)
The Capital and Property Planning Division has integrated the requirements for NHS Boards in relation to disability issues within its policies and, as part of its routine procedures, will seek confirmation from Boards that development projects have taken into account issues such as disabled access requirements.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Scottish Health Survey | To include the collection of equality strand information including long term condition and disability | Health ASD | Ongoing | Data available on disability and long term conditions as part of the Scottish Health Survey |
NHS Resource Allocation Formula | The revised allocation Formula proposed by NRAC will be implemented from 2009/10 and includes all of the costs of providing health services to disabled people. It also specifically recognises the effects of disability on the health needs of the population. It uses the Limiting Long Term Illness ( LLTI) rate to help establish the additional health needs for acute services, care of elderly and GP prescribing. The index for the Mental Health and Learning care programme is adjusted to reflect the percentage of people claiming severe disability allowance. Looking ahead NRAC also recommended that issues of equality and diversity are considered in any future review of the Formula, ascertaining whether robust evidence is available and consulting on proposed recommendations with equality groups | Health ASD | Yearly from 2009/10 | To ensure allocations are adjusted |
Statistics Review | To ensure that ISD and other data collections provide data by equality group, including disability where appropriate. | Health ASD | Ongoing | More data available on disability and long term conditions |
Community Care Data Collections | To ensure that the collection of data made by ASD across community care includes disability and long term illness where appropriate e.g. Register Blind and Partially Sighted http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/26140228/1 | Health ASD | Ongoing | High quality data available on disability and long term conditions |
Supporting Health Directorates in using high quality evidence across the equality strands, including disability | Any entry in this disability equality scheme from the Health Directorates which has a evidence need will be supported in some way by Health ASD. These items have not been duplicated under the Health Finance entry as they are lead by other part of the Health Directorates. | Health ASD | Ongoing | Data and evidence needs are addressed across the Health Directorates with attention to equality groups including disability. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
PEDA (pre-expenditure delivery assessment) | To include equalities within the PEDA form submission process | Health ASD | Ongoing | Equalities are addressed as part of pre expenditure assessments within the Health Directorates |
Supporting Health Directorates in using high quality evidence across the equality strands, including disability | Any entry in this disability equality scheme from the Health Directorates which has a evidence need will be supported in some way by Health ASD. These items have not been duplicated under the Health Finance entry as they are lead by other part of the Health Directorates. | Health ASD | Ongoing | Data and evidence needs are addressed across the Health Directorates with attention to equality groups including disability. |
Capital and Property Planning Division to seek confirmation from NHS Boards that development projects have taken into account issues such as disabled access requirements and that Boards have carried out an Equality Impact Assessment. | Seek confirmation from NHS Boards as stated - already embedded as part of the Capital and Property Division's routine procedures. | Members of Capital and Property Planning Division | Ongoing - and already embedded in routine procedures. | NHS Boards confirm that developments projects have taken account of issues such as disabled access requirements and that they have carried out the necessary EQIAs. |
Disability Equality Action Plan
Name of Directorate or Agency
HEALTH WORKFORCE DIRECTORATE
Directorate or Agency responsibility
The Health Workforce Directorate is here to protect, promote and improve the health, quality of life and wellbeing of people in Scotland by working with NHSScotland to build a world class workforce for NHSScotland. We work closely with Ministers, NHSScotland employers, NHSScotland employees and their representatives, as well as the wider public, to develop policy and practice that will help achieve this.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps deliver the Government's national purpose and outcomes
The Directorate is committed to delivering opportunities and service in respect of the responsibilities noted above to the whole of Scotland, taking account of the different needs and helping achieve the aspirations of the community at large either as individuals or as members of discreet subsets.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
The close working relationships between Health Workforce and HR Directors allows the Directorate to have a live and evolving understanding of issues faced by disabled people in NHS boards.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcomes |
|---|
Recruitment | Monitor NHS employers recruitment process and issue guidance as required to ensure the process remains barrier free (developed in conjunction with representatives from staff and Employers forum on disability) | Reputation and Attraction Unit | ongoing | Barrier free recruitment - increased application from, and employment of, disabled people |
Develop and target advertising and PR specifically for disabled people | Reputation and Attraction Unit | ongoing | Increased number of enquiries from disabled people about careers in NHS Scotland |
All national careers campaigns to include positive portrayal of disabled people, improved website accessibility, use of subtitles in TV campaigns, availability of text phones and other communication methods | Reputation and Attraction Unit | ongoing | Increased number of enquiries from disabled people about careers in NHS Scotland Improved perception among disabled people that NHS Scotland is good employer that takes account of staff needs |
Consultations/ publications | All events, websites and publications will be accessible, promote equality and provide positive portrayal of disability | Heads of Division within Health Workforce | On going | improved access to events, information and increased engagement of disabled people |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected outcomes |
|---|
All | Maintain membership of Employers Forum on Disability. Maintain dialogue with, and seek guidance from, Equality and Human Rights Commission as appropriate | Heads of Division within Health Workforce | On going | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
Equality Impact Assessment forming part of policy development processes including engagement with representatives from disabled groups | Heads of Division within Health Workforce | On going | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
Senior staff and Ministers take opportunities for engagement with disability groups/events and issues. Ensure positive disability messages are included in speeches | Heads of Division within Health Workforce | On going | Better understanding of disabled peoples needs and aspirations to improved policy development and delivery |
Policies to include options to maximise the potential of disabled people | Heads of Division within Health Workforce | On going | Policies and functions designed, developed and delivering better outcomes for disabled people |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Healthcare Policy & Strategy
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
The Directorate covers a broad range of patient facing responsibilities including; child health; maternal health; healthcare quality and patient safety; palliative care; NHS complaints; equality & diversity policy; public involvement; patient rights; patient information; sponsorship of the Scottish Health Council; cancer & genetics; long-term conditions and healthcare planning.
The Directorate also has responsibility for the e-Health strategy and for Group Finance
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
Healthcare Policy & Strategy has a significant role to play in tackling discrimination and disadvantage and in promoting equality for disabled people. We recognise that many disabled people experience unequal access to our services and unequal health outcomes that are a result of their needs not being considered in the design, development and delivery of our services. We are committed to tackling these issues by involving disabled people in our processes at an early stage and by measuring progress through improved outcomes for disabled people.
Fair for All - Disability, the Directorate's national initiative to support NHS Scotland understand and respond to disability issues, has worked with people with a disability and NHS staff to develop a shared vision that improved access to health provision for disabled people cannot be led by legislation alone. Improving access is not just about the built environment: it is about developing inclusive attitudes and practices that permeate every aspect of services so that the people we serve have their individual needs and circumstances recognised. 'Achieving Fair Access' Fair for All - Disability's guidance was developed with extensive involvement of disabled people and part of our commitment is to ensure this guidance is implemented systematically across the NHS. As Fair for All moves to a new integrated Directorate of Equalities & Planning within NHS Health Scotland, we will monitor progress to ensure disabled people's needs are met.
While each NHS Board will publish their own Disability Equality Schemes, in recognition of the relationship between the Health Department's strategic role and NHS Boards' role in the delivery of services, we are implementing a 'whole system' approach to equality, including disability equality, across our key clinical priorities of Cancer, CHD/Stroke and Mental Health. This is being developed in collaboration with Better Together our national Patient Experience Programme.
The development of our e-Health strategy also provides an opportunity to improve services for disabled people, through developing systems where information on patients' individual needs and circumstances can be effectively communicated across different parts of the health system, ensuring smooth transitions between services that provide appropriate and accessible healthcare.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
We have developed our evidence base through our Fair for All - Disability partnership. Fair for All - Disability have involved disabled people, disability organisations and NHS Boards in developing the evidence base as well as developing our response to these issues.
We know that disabled people are more likely to live in circumstances which put them at greater risk of poor health: poverty, unemployment, poor housing, lack of control, and poor access to goods and services are all known predictors of poor health, with significant costs to the individuals concerned and society.
When we talk about access to health services as being a major issue for disabled people, we are not just talking about getting into buildings, or about compliance with legislation, but also about the flexibility of services, communication and attitudes. When talking about access to services we know that:
- Scotland has an ageing population and the probability of having a disability increases with age. The average age of a person with a long-term condition or disability is 58 years and 70% of disabled people are aged over 65.
- 68% of disabled people have an annual income of less than £10,000.
- People with learning difficulties are also less likely to use diagnostic services: women with learning difficulties have fewer mammograms and cervical smears.
- Of 100 disabled people surveyed in Scotland, 44 considered a positive attitude from staff as having the most influence on improving their experience of accessing services.
- Of 832 blind and visually impaired people sampled, 55% required help in finding a seat in the waiting area in GP surgeries, yet only 26% received it.
- Of 866 deaf and hard hearing people who responded to a survey, 24% said they have missed an appointment because of poor communication such as not being able to hear staff calling out their name. Some 19% have missed more than five appointments.
- Nearly half of deafblind people sampled have undergone procedures (operations, injections, drips) that had not been explained.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Patient Focus Public Involvement ( PFPI) launched Fair for All - Disability, a partnership with the Disability Rights Commission in 2003, to support NHS Scotland mainstream disability issues across their activities. 'Achieving Fair Access', Fair for All - Disability's guidance on mainstreaming disability equality across NHSScotland policies and functions was launched in 2007. We have quality assured NHS Board Disability Equality Schemes to identify areas for improvement Fair for All - Disability has now been incorporated into the recently launched Equality & Planning Directorate in NHS Health Scotland | Work will be undertaken to join up approaches nationally to ensure national / special NHS Boards and Health Directorates engage with disabled people in the design, development and delivery of their services and functions. | Patients and Quality Division and NHS Health Scotland Directorate of Equalities & Planning | ongoing | Improved access to healthcare for people with a disability Improved patient experience Disability equality built into all aspects of NHS |
Directorate of Equalities & Planning will support NHS Boards to; mainstream disability equality into their work; share good practice and; provide targeted support to NHS Boards | ongoing |
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Redesign of the NHS Wheelchair & Seating Service | Formal response to Review issued in January 2007. | Patients & Quality Division | June 2007 | Action Plan by December 08 for Ministers to consider |
Project Board, chaired by NHS Grampian Chief. | Patient & Quality Division |
Appointment of dedicated Project Manager for 4 years | Patients & Quality Division | October 07 | Oversee delivery of Action Plan in year one. Delivery of outcomes in years 2-4. |
AdvocacyNHS Boards are required to work with their planning partners to ensure that independent advocacy is available to all who need that support. Evidence from the Disability Working Group and Get Involved events confirmed that disabled people want this. Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) 2003 every person with a mental disorder has a right of access to independent advocacy. SEHD fund the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance ( SIAA) to provided advice and support to service commissioners and providers. | Update guidance to NHS Boards to ensure that local provision meets the identified need for advocacy and that people with a disability are involved in the planning and design of local services. | Patients and Quality Division and Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance | May 2008 and ongoing | Improved access for people with a disability to independent advocacy. |
Work with NHSQIS and Scottish Health Council to ensure that their standards/guidance and assessment of NHS Boards service delivery meets the identified local need for independent advocacy | Improved patient experience. The Better Together Programme will disaggregate patient surveys by equality groupings including disability |
Cancer / Better Together IN 2006 we began planning for a 'whole systems' approach to our work on equalities that would assess all stages of healthcare, from policy and planning to frontline delivery of services, starting with Cancer, then rolling out across clinical priority areas. In 2007 work began separately to develop a Better Together, a national patient experience programme that would survey c _ million patients per year on their experience of health services (disaggregated by diversity categories), supported by an improvement programme to improve services based on these findings. To ensure our improvement work on cancer and Better Together was joined up we have been working to update our plans and will be ready to commence activity in Summer 2007. This programme is based on a wide range of evidence including the DRC Formal Investigation into health inequalities experienced by people with mental health problems and learning disabilities and evidence gathered, including patient stories, of the inequalities faced by different groups in epidemiology; accessing services; services delivery and outcomes in relation to the design, development and delivery of health services | A research project is drawing together the evidence on the inequalities disabled people face in relation to Cancer services. | Patients and Quality Division; Staff Governance Unit, Healthcare Planning Division, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, Better Together Co-ordination Centre, Delivery Directorate's Improvement & Support Team, Health ASD | Summer 2008 | Action Plan to mainstream disability equality across services beginning with Cancer service pilot Evidence collated of inequalities experienced by disabled people in cancer services Equality Impact Assessed Policy sets expectation for the equitable and fair delivery of cancer services to disabled people. Share/develop best practice/learning Shared ownership of approach to improving the disabled people's access to, and experience of cancer services. |
3 NHS Boards are currently recruiting co-ordinators to take this programme forward - this will include development of validated case studies of inequalities sensitive practice based on patient experience that will be disseminated across all Cancer services, then rolled out across CHD / Stroke & Mental Health | Summer 2008 - Mar 2010 |
The national Cancer Strategy, Better Cancer Care is currently being revised and Equality Impact Assessed | Summer 2008 |
The Better Together patient surveys will be disaggregated by equality strand, including disability, which will tell us if our actions are having improved outcomes in relation to patient experience for disabled people | November 2008 |
Patient Monitoring Monitoring disabled patients' access to health services and their health outcomes is central to understanding and responding to their needs and to ensuring that our actions are having an impact on outcomes. | Supported by the Equality & Diversity Information Project at NHSNSS ( funded by Patients & Quality Division) We will establish new levers to ensure we embed equalities patient monitoring across NHS Scotland, including establishing targets for Boards | Patient & Quality Division, NHSNSS Equality & Diversity Project, NHS Boards | Ongoing | Ability to monitor service use and health outcomes and address any inequalities for disabled people |
A 5 countries meeting in April 2008 will bring together leads with responsibility for strategy and operational leads to agree an action plan and targets for achieving this | April 2008 |
Better Together Work is routinely undertaken in NHS Boards across Scotland to survey patient experience of local care and to implement learning from the NHS Complaints Procedure and other local feedback arrangements. However, Better Together, our new national Patient Experience Programme will tap into patient experience in a more systematic way. It will: - work with patients and carers to determine what they want from the NHS
- use surveys and research to collect information on patient views and experiences
build on evidence already collected through for example, our Patient Focus and Public Involvement work and from the NHS Complaints Procedure. | Better Together will survey c _ million patients per year on their experiences of health services - focussing on inpatients, GP services and long-term conditions in the first instance. Paper based surveys will be backed up by qualitative research methods to ensure that all communities, including those who may not be able to access written surveys, will have their views included. Surveys will be disaggregated by disability status, which will allow us to report on disabled people's experiences of health services and compare against other parts of the population. Survey information will then be used to develop national improvements across health services | Patients & Quality Division, Health Directorates, Better Together Co-ordinating Centre, NHS Boards | First surveys (Inpatients) expected to be completed by Winter 2008 and reports by January 2009 | Evidence of disabled peoples experiences of health services Improvements in disabled peoples experiences of health services. |
Patient Participation At present, patient and public participation in the NHS is assessed by the Scottish Health Council. Building on their experience we want to develop a clear measure of the level and quality of public participation across NHS Boards to ensure that it is based on the needs of patients and involves the public. | We will work with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, the Scottish Health Council, Public Partnership Forums and other groups, including staff representatives, to agree a participation standard for all NHS Boards covering future involvement of patients, staff and the public more generally. This standard will build on existing guidance on community engagement and reflect the needs of Scotland's diverse population. Standards will make explicit the requirement to involve disabled people | Patients & Quality Division, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, the Scottish Health Council, Public Partnership Forums and other groups, including staff representatives | April 2009 | Clear measures for Boards to progress engagement with Disabled People |
Patients Rights | The development of a patients' right bill in 2010 will include a strengthening of existing rights including equalities and human rights. As well as legislating for key patients rights, there will be a programme of work to ensure all patients are aware of their rights and how to have these rights assured. | Patients & Quality Division | 2010 | All patients, including disabled people will have a clearer more simple mechanism for understanding and having their rights met |
Patient Information | By April 2009 we will introduce a National Health Information and Support Service to provide a single shared health information online resource which brings together quality assured local and national information from the NHS and other sectors, a national health information helpline available and a network of branded health information support centres, embedded in local communities. This will involve: 1. A consistent approach to produce high quality fully accessible patient information across NHSScotland 2. Information partnerships with key national voluntary organisations to maximise the benefit to patients from the high quality, patient focused information they produce 3. Clearly signposted access points where people can get support to find the information they need; understand the information provided and develop the skills and confidence to use it effectively in order to become an active partner in their own care 4. A particular focus on meeting the needs of those communities and individuals who have traditionally found it harder to engage with health services | Patients & Quality Division | April 2009 | A single health information service on key conditions, treatments and services that is fully accessible for disabled people. |
NHS Complaints | We have been working to improve both the quality of data that is collected by the NHS Complaints system and to pilot equality monitoring of complainants to identify trends and patterns in complaints by various categories including disability. We are now investigating the accessibility of the NHS complaints system to address barriers for those who might find it difficult to use the existing written correspondence based system and we will develop actions to tackle any barriers identified by this research | Patients & Quality Division, Scottish Health Council, NHS Complaints Officers | March 2009 | Improved accessibility of NHS Complaints for disabled people, in particular those with sensory impairments or low literacy levels |
Palliative Care | We will launch an action plan for cohesive palliative care services in Scotland during 2007. | Mark Aggleton | Oct 08 | Particular needs of disabled people (patients, users and carers) reflected in the Action Plan. |
Scottish Patient Safety Alliance and Programme | We will work with a range of partners to improvement the safety and reliability of defined clinical interventions to reduce adverse events by 30% and mortality by 15% by 2011. | NHSQIS has responsibility for the Scottish Patient Safety Programme. Colin Brown for the Scottish Patient Safety Alliance | Oct 08 | Particular needs of disabled people (patients, users and carers) reflected in the work of the Scottish Patient Safety Alliance and Programme. |
'Specialist Children's Services' | A range of services which aim to meet needs of children with impairments and conditions. Consultation took place directly with service users and their families on specialist services, that informed reports on individual services, and a National Delivery Plan, into which the service reports fed, is itself now out for consultation | Child and Maternal Health Division | Ongoing | Improved outcomes for patients |
Delivering a Healthy Future : an action framework for children and young people's health in Scotland' | Includes significant commentary on the need to recognise that diversity and equality needs to be better integrated into the planning and delivery of child health services. It is proposed to check the status of implementation of the action framework with NHS Boards in 2008, with a letter and follow up visits | Child and Maternal Health Division | Ongoing | Improved outcomes and patient experience for people with a disability |
E- Health Strategy | Our e-Health programmes will be Disability Equality Impact Assessed e-Health programmes and projects will be assessed by the relevant programme project boards as they come on stream on an ongoing basis. The e-Health strategy which will is scheduled for release in April 2008 will also be assessed | Head of Computing and IT Services | ongoing | Achieve key aim of involving the patient in the use and disclosure of their personal health information. Fully achieved: Procedures now in place. When a patient's Emergency Care Summary is accessed the patient has to give their consent. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Primary and Community Care Directorate
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
To work with others to deliver better and faster access to integrated primary and community care in Scotland, and to shift the balance towards independence and choice, so that everyone has sustained and improved (physical and mental) health and wellbeing, especially in disadvantaged communities.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
Primary and Community Care directorate policies promote equality of opportunity and inclusion. Each strand of work impacts positively on people with disabilities and others who are in need of health or social care and support.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
The experiences and issues for people with disabilities are well understood through representation of people with disabilities, service users and carers on the numerous stakeholder groups involved in policy development and implementation.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Implementation of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 | Implementation of the act provides for protection from harm for 'adults at risk', which is clearly defined in legislation and includes adults with mental health problems, illnesses or disabilities and people at risk because of infirmity. The principles of the legislation require any intervention to provide benefit to the individual, to have regard to the adult's views - and those of their near relatives and to also have regard to 'the adult's abilities, background and characteristics (including age, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, ethnicity and cultural and linguistic heritage)'. | Adult Care and Support Division and local authorities | October 2008 | 'Adults at risk' are protected from harm. |
The Act's Implementation Group and Training Working Groups include disabled members. | | ongoing | First hand experience and advice from the disabled sector |
Awareness raising events to be run on our behalf. | Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability | Summer 2008 | Greater awareness by the disabled sector of the implications of the Act |
Communication activities including publication of an easy read version of the Short Introduction to the Act | Adult Care and Support Division in liaison with Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability | Summer 2008 | Greater awareness of the Act by the learning disability sector |
Self-directed support Self-directed support is a means of enabling disabled people to have more flexibility, choice and control over their social and health care by giving them ownership of their care budget. Self-directed support is designed to encourage independent living. Research has shown that independent living brings improvements in an individual's quality of life and emotional, physical and social health. The policy is therefore to increase the uptake of self-directed support because of its associated benefits. | A number of actions have been identified to be taken forward over the next 3 years to improve understanding about the means to increase the take-up of self-directed support. These include research into the support services available to those on self-directed support, research into the workforce provision, pilots to scope out best practice at local authority level and convening a roundtable to discuss means of joint working. All of these actions will involve gathering information from disabled people in terms of their experience of receiving self-directed support but also from those who do not receive self-directed support, and their reasons for not doing so. | Adult Care and Support Division | Ongoing basis. | Higher uptake of self-directed support and more disabled people benefiting from greater independence and therefore an improved quality of life. |
Implementation of The same as you? review of learning disability services. This whole agenda aims to ensure equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination for people with learning disabilities. It is a broad agenda and focuses on employment, education, travel and communities as well as on health and community care services. The national implementation group has agreed to focus on reducing health inequalities for people with learning disabilities and people with autism spectrum disorders, ensuring change for those with complex needs. | Managing implementation programme. Continue ways of working designed to obtain contributions from people with learning disabilities, eg national stakeholder groups have representatives with learning disabilities and families and carers alongside service providers and statutory organisations. Reports produced with easy read summaries. | Adult Care and Support Division | 2010 | Improved quality of life and services for people with a learning disability |
Target health promotion and health improvement activity better to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. This may require organisational changes, such as an enhanced role for learning disabilities Local Area Co-ordinators within community health partnerships, with national support. | Adult Care and Support Division | 2010 | Reduced health inequalities for people with learning disabilities |
Scottish Enhanced Services Programme October 2007-March 2009 includes option of services for adults with learning disabilities in primary care | 12 Boards have selected this option for commissioning. For participating general practices, this requires them to maintain a database of adults with learning disabilities on their practice list, to address training and awareness of practice staff and barriers to access for these patients. It also requires there to be a named liaison person for each practice who will ensure good liaison with local specialist learning disability services and with social services. Boards are also required to develop and action plan for a system of health checks for adults with learning disabilities, working with CHPs, GP practices and learning disability services. This work is progressing with the support of a national group looking at the model of checks, and implications for workforce, education/ training, infrastructure. | General Medical Services branch of Primary Care Division has developed the framework specification for this enhanced service. Boards have adapted this to suit local circumstances and needs. | Practice part of enhanced service rolled out from January 2007. Action plan for health checks to be complete by end March 2009 but pilots may be conducted before this date. Funding for health checks still to be identified and will in part depend on the model. | Patients with learning disabilities will have improved access to mainstream general practice and benefit from improved liaison between practices and community learning disability services, and improved awareness of their needs by practice staff. Routine health checks will improve detection of unidentified health problems with overall improvement in health and prevention of complications of existing illness. These two will bring adults with learning disabilities closer to the general population in having their health needs met. |
Eye Care Review | The review will improve the quality and coordination of community eye care services in Scotland was developed with the involvement of people with a visual impairment. The final report recommended that service users be involved in planning services, and provided examples of good practice. In addition £2.6m of pump priming funding was announced on 2 December 2007 to help improve local services for the visually impaired. | Primary Care Directorate | Ongoing | Better services for people with a visual impairment |
Equipment and adaptations Environmental barriers can limit the potential of disabled and older people to take part in mainstream employment, educational, social and recreational opportunities. Equipment and adaptations help overcome these barriers, having a positive impact on their and their carer's lives, and can influence the need for other care services. They help people of all ages to carry out ordinary activities of daily life that have become difficult or impossible due to impairment, ill health, traumatic injury, the effects of ageing or a change in circumstances. This work is being taken forward with advice from an external advisory group that includes disabled people and carers and voluntary sector organisations that support and represent disabled and older people. | Following on from discussions held with the stakeholder groups the review of guidance is taking a 'user pathway' approach to bring together legislation, guidance, policy and good practice across health, housing and social care in ways that will empower people using services, their carers, and those providing services. Where possible it will capture aspects from the report 'Equipped for Inclusion' and it will also be used as the basis for a mechanism to consider the impact of new policies on this revised framework as they emerge. This work: - provides an overview of the community care process leading to the provision of equipment and adaptations for:
i) People using services and their carers ii) statutory providers - supports system analysis and informs process simplification
- embeds equipment and adaptations as a key component of community care across health, housing and social care
- focuses on adults
Phase 2: Promotion and implementation. Possible proposal for future work for children, education and lifelong learning, and the workplace. | Equipment and Adaptations Branch. | Issued for consultation, 2008 | Better outcomes for disabled people and their carers. Empowering disabled by providing detailed guidance regarding the provision of equipment and adaptations. |
Mental Health Managing better the care and treatment of people who have a learning disability/co-morbidity mental health and challenging behaviour. | Addressing issues around the need for better information, models of care and workforce planning. | Mental Health Division | During 2008 | To look at ways of making improvements to those people in assessment and treatment beds across Scotland. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Implementation of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 | Development and implementation of training strategy to ensure effective implementation of the Act. This will include a full impact assessment as part of our engagement in preparing guidance and information before the commencement date to ensure that all equality strands are embedded. | The Training Working Group, which is a sub-group of the Act's Implementation Group, in liaison with local authorities and their partners | Stage 1 by October 2008 which is the Act's commencement date. | Equality strands embedded in all training material. |
All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population | We will consider disability equality issues within the context of the Government's wide ranging action plan for Scotland's ageing population, including an Anti-Ageism Campaign | Community Care Division | Anti-Ageism Campaign launched by summer 2007. Other work will be on-going | Raised awareness of ageism issues and a positive agenda for Scotland's ageing population |
Respite care - new guidance | We are conducting an equality impact assessment as part of the development of the new guidance on respite care. | Community Care Division | Guidance to be issued spring or summer 2008 | Better access to respite for those from equality groups |
Carer information strategies | We are conducting an equality impact assessment of the carer information strategy policy. | Community Care Division | On-going | Better access to carer information and training for those from equality groups |
National Strategy for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse | To work with National Reference Group to identify specific positive action to ensure implementation of the strategy is accessible to people with disabilities. This will include specific consultation in developing the communications strategy. | Adult Care and Support Team | By November 2008 | Better awareness of the strategy amongst disability organisations and better understanding equality amongst mainstream services. |
Community Pharmacy | The community pharmacy contract makes provision for new services, including services targeted specifically at support for: (i) frail elderly people (ii) persons with severe and enduring mental health conditions; and (iii) provision of compliance aids for vulnerable patients who otherwise would have difficulty in identifying when, what and how many medicines they should take. | Primary Care Division | Ongoing | Better services for people with a disability |
Improving Primary Care Infrastructure - Premises | Funding and guidance has been provided to secure compliance with the DDA across the primary care estate. We have introduced guidance to ensure that the needs of people with dementia are considered in the Design of new Primary Care premises. We will use Joint Venture initiatives, which provide services that span the health and local authority sectors to widen service access to minority and/or relatively deprived communities. | Primary Care Directorate | Ongoing | Improved access and better experience for people with a disability |
Dental Services A number of initiatives are targeted at meeting DDA requirements and improving the care offered to disabled people | Practice improvement funding supports general dental practitioners address DDA requirements. Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants require dentists setting up or expanding NHS practices to comply with the DDA - to be extended to offer specific grants to relocate to better quality and more suitable practice premises which meet DDA requirements. Specific fees paid to practitioners for domiciliary visits to patients who are unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability. The new career structure for the Community Dental Services includes senior posts related to the provision of GDS to patients with special needs or who are medically compromised. The new consolidated National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations will enable dentists to choose to undertake a less complete range of general dental services where this is necessary through physical or mental illness or disability. | Primary Care Directorate | Ongoing | Improved safety, access and outcomes for disabled people |
Mental Health There is significant evidence that people with mental health problems experience discrimination from health care providers (In one study, 44% of respondents reported discrimination from GPs, 32% from other health services - De Ponte, 2000) in that physical illnesses were not taken seriously or attributed to mental distress. The DDA prohibits discrimination against disabled people in recruitment and employment, yet research consistently records that, generally, people with mental health problems experience barriers in retaining and/or gaining access to employment. | Work to ensure all providers of care and the public more generally adopt behaviours which support and embrace the agenda around promoting equality, non-discrimination, social inclusion and equal rights | Mental Health Division | Ongoing | Better public understanding of, and less stigmatising of people with mental health problems and better outcomes for users of mental health services |
Training for staff and peer workers to recognise and respond to inequalities, including disability equality | Mental Health Division working with Scottish Recovery Network | Ongoing | Improved experience of services |
Develop robust mechanism to measure progress | Mental Health Division | Ongoing | Evidence of improved service user outcomes and experience |
The Equal Minds report brought together evidence of the mental health inequalities experienced by disabled people and laid out the implications for policy and practice. A new Mental Health Delivery Plan ( MHDP) has been with a focus on inclusion and equality issues. | MHDP Commitment: We will develop a tool to assess the degree to which organisations and programmes meet our expectations in respect of equality, social inclusion, recovery and rights. | Mental Health Division working with Scottish Recovery Network | The tool will be piloted in 2007/08 and be in general use by 2010. | Services being delivered in a manner that better addresses disability equality issues. |
MHDP Commitment We will improve the physical health of those with severe and enduring mental illness by ensuring that every such patient where possible and appropriate has a physical health assessment at least once every 15 months. | Mental Health Division | Consultation out until end of May 2008 | Better physical health outcomes for those with mental illness. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Public Health & Wellbeing
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
Public Health and Wellbeing Directorate has responsibility for a diverse range of policies that are centred around improving and sustaining the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. This includes public health and health protection, health improvement, sport, social inclusion and equalities.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
Public Health & Wellbeing Directorate is very firmly committed to the promotion of disability equality and ensuring the needs of disabled people are taken into consideration in the development of policies.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
The issues and experiences for disabled people vary considerably across the Directorate. Evidence and discussions with disabled people about health issues have indicated they can experience more ill-health than others and benefit less from health system activities such as screening programmes and health promotion. For example women with learning difficulties make less use of screening - mammograms and cervical smears.
We also know that disabled people are more likely to live in poverty than non-disabled people (68% of disabled people have an annual income of less than £10,000).
And we know that disabled people face barriers which can prevent access to public services, and which can prevent them from participating in public life and the life of their communities.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Sexual Health To inform action within the Sexual Health Strategy "Respect & Responsibility", an evidence review on the sexual health and wellbeing of young people with learning difficulties has been commissioned by NHS Health Scotland. This will harness diverse forms of evidence, including the voices of young people themselves and emerging findings form practice, in what is a very new field. | The intention is for the findings from this work to be grounded in current policy and practice thinking. Health Scotland will prepare a briefing paper based on the findings identifying areas for further action and recommending to organisation how they might take this forward. | Public Health & Substance Misuse | Completed and is now being considered by Scottish Government officials. | Improved awareness and practice in this area. |
Tackling Health Inequalities | Co-ordinating implementation of the report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities. This includes action to tackle low income and lack of employment, promoting inequalities-sensitive practice in public services, and specific issues such as self-directed support. Keep well programmes in both waves are obliged to equality impact assess their proposals, and have to report on their endeavours each quarter. | Health Improvement | Continuing - timescales for recommendations vary. Ongoing | Reduction in health inequalities, including for disabled people. Better health data to identify health outcomes for disabled people. The design and delivery of systems of engagement which recognise and respond to different barriers to accessing services. Reduction in health inequalities, including for disabled people. |
Development of framework for tackling poverty, inequality and deprivation | We are specifically considering the needs of people with disabilities as a vulnerable group within the context of this framework and will impact assess its contents for their interests. We are also publishing an easy read version of our discussion paper on poverty, inequality and deprivation for people with learning disabilities, and will examine the need for different versions of the framework to be produced to address the needs of different disabled groups. | Social Inclusion | Easy-read version of discussion paper within next three weeks. Framework to be published by the end of the calendar year. | Better access and engagement with government process for developing policy for people with learning disabilities. Specific consideration given to addressing the needs of people with disabilities in developing cross-governmental policy on tackling poverty, inequality and deprivation. |
The Equity Standard for Sport The Framework enables sports bodies to assess performance and ensure continuous improvement. It is a key element of sportscotland's Ethics Programme and bodies are expected to demonstrate actions taken and planned in all funding applications. This is a pre-requisite for ongoing funding. | The Equity Standard for Sport is a key element of Scottish sport's Ethics Programme. It provides a framework for our sports governing bodies and other sports organisations to progress and achieve equity targets within their strategic plan and to contribute to the delivery of the sports strategy, Reaching Higher. | Sport | Ongoing Staged implementation across all sports governing bodies with sportscotland evaluating and validating achievements. | Improvements for disabled people's access to sport. |
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games | SG working closely with its partners; the Organising Company ( OC), Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Council to deliver an inclusive Games. OC is responsible for delivery of Games and SG working with all partners to ensure planning continues to engage representative groups and addresses disability equality across key issues, for example - Games Village; accommodation; venues; and transport. 5 venues have access for elite athletes with a disability for training and competition. Expectation that at least 4 events will be held for elite athletes with a disability, although this decision lies ultimately with Commonwealth Games Federation in consultation with 2014 partners and IOC Paralympic Committee. In terms of 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy, all equality groups, including disability groups, are being consulted as part of the "Glasgow 2014 - Delivering a lasting legacy for Scotland" consultation process which First Minister and other Glasgow 2014 partners launched on 15 February 2007. We are currently confirming the membership of the Scottish Legacy Board and its supporting sub groups to help develop and deliver a Games Legacy Plan and we will ensure that the interests of all equality groups, including people with a physical or learning disability, are represented. | Sport | By 23 July - 3 August 2014; "Games Time" Ongoing - "Games Legacy" 2008: end of written consultation process 9 May 2008; public meetings in May and June held across Scotland; draft plan expected to issue November/December 2009: expectation will publish Legacy Action Plan summer 2009 | Successful, inclusive Commonwealth Games for Scotland which has engaged effectively with disability equality groups in planning and delivery across key partnerships to facilitate maximum access, opportunities and participation by spectators, employees and elite athletes with a disability. Delivery of benefits and lasting legacy from 2014 Games across SG's 5 strategic objectives; Wealthier and Fairer; Healthier; Safer and Stronger; Smarter; Greener. |
Implement the disability working group's report (published November 2006). | Take forward action to deliver recommendations to promote disability equality including in relation to disability equality training, awareness raising and improving information. | Equality Unit | Report on progress at the end of 2008. | Disabled people have improved access to, and better experience of, public services |
Involvement of disabled people. | Directorates and agencies will receive tailored support to help them to engage effectively with disabled people who have particular skills or interests in their area of work | Equality Unit | Over the next 3 years and beyond. | Directorates and agencies have effective engagement with disabled people |
Build capacity of disability organisations and disabled people. Discussion to be had with disability organisations and disabled people about the best methods to do this. | Equality Unit | 2008 | Disabled people are better able to engage with public authorities. |
Make information and communication more accessible. | Implement and promote the Scottish Accessible Information Forum standards. | Equality Unit | Ongoing | Better access to information leading to greater access to and satisfaction of public services for disabled people. |
Continue programme set out in the roadmap to deliver improvements in linguistic access for people who are Deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing. | Equality Unit, via BSL and Linguistic Access Working Group. | Appoint new BSL project manager March 2008 and deliver implementation of roadmap 2008-2011. | BSL users have improved access to services and engagement in Government policy making. |
Involvement of deaf and deafblind people | Support to Directorates and agencies to involve deaf people. Build capacity in deaf organisations. Convene a single focus sub-group of the BSL and Linguistic Access Working Group to produce a strategy for involving Deaf people. | Equality Unit and BSL and Linguistic Access Working Group. | By summer 2009 | Deaf and deafblind people have improved access to services and engagement in Government policy making. |
Introduce ways of increasing the number of registered BSL/English interpreters and advanced BSL teachers. | Equality Unit and BSL and Linguistic Access Working Group. | Ongoing | Double the number of BSL registered interpreters by 2012 (based on a starting point of 39 in 2002). Increase the number of advanced BSL learners. |
Independent Living | Take forward activity to promote independent living in Scotland. Action will be developed in partnership with disability organisations. | Equality Unit | Plans announced by summer 2008. | Disabled people have more choice and control over their lives and are able to live independently. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Alcohol strategy | Preparation of an EQIA, including disability issues | Public Health, Alcohol Misuse Team | Before publication of finalised strategy, late 2008 | Policy which takes due account of disability considerations |
Social Inclusion | Disability equality assessment to be made of each organisation with whom we agree provision of grants. | Social Inclusion Division | From now | Disability equality embedded within practices of grant recipient bodies. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Housing and Regeneration ( HAR) Directorate
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
HAR is responsible for developing and delivering the Scottish Government's policies for housing and regeneration. The expenditure programmes for which the Directorate is responsible contribute to the Government's Purpose and Strategic Objectives by increasing the supply of good quality, sustainable housing and by supporting large-scale projects to achieve the comprehensive regeneration of targeted areas. In addition, the Directorate works with local government and other partners to prevent and tackle homelessness; provide housing support services to enable vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes; and to provide targeted regeneration action to tackle poverty in the most disadvantaged communities.
On this occasion, HAR's Action Plan also includes the newly formed agency, the Scottish Housing Regulator ( SHR). The agency which was launched on April 1 2008, regulates registered social landlords and the landlord and homelessness functions of local authorities. The SHR's purpose is to regulate to:
- protect the interests of current and future tenants, and other service users;
- ensure the continuing provision of good quality social housing, in terms of decent homes, good services, value for money, and financial viability; and
maintain the confidence of funders.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
Because much of our work involves working with and for communities that are likely to experience disproportionate levels of disadvantage, we are committed to ensuring we do all we can to promote equality and respect diversity.
We are committed to making sure that the policies, procedures and services that we lead or influence make a positive contribution to improving the experiences that disabled people face. This will involve staff awareness and training and highlighting to the organisations we work with that they too have statutory duties to promote disability equality. We will take positive action to eliminate discrimination and inequality in our policies. We will use evidence to help us to understand the needs and experiences of disabled people.
We are committed to undertaking Equality Impact Assessments for all new and developing policy, and involving disabled people when appropriate. Where Equality Impact Assessments identify the need for specific actions to be taken to ensure the needs of disabled people are met we will put these in place. We are also undertaking work to ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the equality duties
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Introduction of the Home Report | We have worked with Ownership Options in Scotland to develop accessibility information for inclusion in the mandatory Single Survey for second-hand house sales when it is launched on 1st December 2007. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Markets and Supply Division: Home Report Implementation Team | 1 st December 2008 | To raise awareness of the inclusion of the accessibility audit in the Single Survey. People with particular accessibility needs will be able (at a glance) to determine whether or not a property on the market suits their needs. |
Assistance for house-owners with adaptations for disabled occupants | Consultation is to take place in spring 2008 on draft regulations under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 extending the scope of mandatory grant for adaptations. The draft regulations also propose automatic minimum percentage grant of 80% for qualifying works, rising to 100% for people in receipt of certain income replacement benefits. Preparation of the regulations and the wider statutory guidance has involved organisations representing disabled people, with particular input from Ownership Options in Scotland. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Markets and Supply Division: Private Housing Assistance Team | End 2008 | New statutory duties, and statutory guidance, will lead to clearer and more generous provision of grant for disabled owners than in the past, and encourage local authorities to take a council-wide approach to assessing and meeting the need for adaptations. |
Fuel Poverty, including Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes | Existing programmes are being reviewed. We will review proposed delivery mechanisms to ensure equalities and diversity issue are considered and included in all proposals. One of the target groups for the Warm Deal Programme are households with a child who has been awarded a Disability Living Allowance. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support - Fuel Poverty Team | Late 2008 | EQIA report will identify any issues which impact unfairly on disabled people. These will be addressed wherever possible. |
Homelessness - existing legislation gives all homeless people the right to temporary accommodation and those in "priority need" the right to permanent accommodation. Priority need categories include people who are vulnerable as a result of physical or learning disabilities. People with disabilities can be found to be homeless if their accommodation is not "reasonable to occupy". Statutory guidance sets out what is meant by this. | The existing data collection system ( HL1) operated by local authorities, which collects information on all people who apply as homeless and track their outcomes, has been updated to include more detailed information on why applicants have become homeless, what their support needs are. If they are in priority need as a result of their disabilities the information gathered will give a picture of whether they have support needs and if support is being provided. | Housing & Regeneration / Housing Access & Support/ Homelessness Team and ASD. | Statistical bulletins are published every six months | A better understanding of whether the support needs of people with disabilities who apply as homeless are being identified and met. |
More specifically, we are planning to amend existing regulations to allow greater flexibility in how local authorities discharge their duty to homeless people, resulting in access by homeless people to a wider range of accommodation (including the private sector). | In the public consultation which will shortly take place on the plans to amend these regulations, we will ask disabilities groups for their views; there are two specific issues which we will want their views on: - under the planned changes to the regulations, will people with disabilities be able to access information on accommodation and;
- will people with disabilities be able to make use of the wider range of accommodation - such as the private sector?
| Housing & Regeneration / Housing Access & Support/ Homelessness Team and ASD. | The consultation will take place in Summer 2007. | A better understanding of how our proposed policy will impact upon people with disabilities. |
Supporting People is a funding framework for people in supported accommodation or in receipt of floating housing support. The programme was introduced throughout Great Britain in April 2003 in order to support vulnerable people in different types of accommodation and tenure in ways responsive to their needs. | Guidance issued ahead of the introduction of the programme in April 2003 identified the groups who would benefit. This included various disability groups. Annual Grant funding given to local authorities who arrange services through service providers. Collection of annual statistics on clients supported through the programme including disability client groups | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support /Advice And Standards | Each year | Similar services for the disabled as for other groups |
Research confirms that investment in housing support services more than pays for itself by savings generated elsewhere EG care and NHS budgets. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support/ Analytical Services division | Each year | To inform policy on who is supported by the programme |
HomePoint The Scottish National Standards for information and Advice Services explicitly adhere to equalities and accessibility issues in terms of resources and methods of delivery (building accessibility, outreach etc) | We promote equality issues at seminars/ conferences and share good practice. We commissioned the Centre for Inclusive Living in Glasgow to produce a HomePoint publication called Access to housing in Scotland: Rights for Disabled People. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support /Advice And Standards | ongoing | Ensure that organisations we fund through the HomePoint project grants scheme demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunities and provide accessibility to all. |
Affordable Housing Investment Programme | Ensure 95% of all new build housing funded meets Housing for Varying Needs standards. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Investment Division | Ongoing | Increased housing suitable for the needs of disabled people. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Strategic planning for housing | Build equalities requirements into new guidance on local housing strategies. | Housing and Regeneration/ Housing Markets and Supply: Housing Systems and Strategic Planning. | End 2007. | Improved strategic planning, ensuring provision of suitable housing for disabled people. |
Housing Need and Demand Assessment | Undertake an Equality Impact Assessment of new strategic planning arrangements for housing, as set out in new guidance on local housing strategies. | Housing & Regeneration/Communities Analytical Services: Centre for Housing Market Analysis with Housing Markets and Supply: Housing Systems and Strategic Planning. | End 2007. | Improved strategic planning, ensuring provision of suitable housing for disabled people. |
Review effectiveness of housing need and demand assessment guidance in helping housing market partnerships identify the housing requirements of specific household groups. | Mid 2009. | More accurate assessment of housing needs of disabled people, leading to more robust strategic plans and provision of suitable housing. |
Community Voices Network - for community activists and volunteers working to regenerate disadvantaged areas of Scotland | Actively promote the Network to all equalities groups, including disabled groups; Ensure all events and communications are suitable for disabled members, providing any necessary equipment; Complete an EQIA to ensure that the Network is inclusive for all community activists and volunteers | Housing & Regeneration/ Regeneration/ Community Engagement Team | On-going | Increased skills, knowledge and expertise on community regeneration through participation in the Community Voices Network |
Empowering Communities | Policy development is accompanied by an EQIA. Focus groups have taken place as part of dialogue in December 2007, including Glasgow Disability Alliance. The dialogue showed that empowerment and equality of opportunity go hand in hand. Disability groups will continue to be consulted during policy development. We will continue to improve monitoring participation at meetings by disability and other equality groups. | Housing & Regeneration/ Regeneration/ Community Engagement Team | On going | Disability groups are involved in policy development processes. Improving evidence of how community empowerment includes minority groups. |
Fairer Scotland Fund | This catalyst fund is offered to community planning partnerships in order that they can make accelerated progress for the most disadvantaged areas and vulnerable groups, including disabled people, with a view to regenerating communities, tackling poverty and improving employability. | Housing & Regeneration/ Regeneration Division/ in conjunction with Social Inclusion, Workforce Plus and More Choice, More Chances teams. | CPPFSF proposals due by June 2008 | As above -with emphasis on strategic deployment of the Fund |
In the guidance for the Fund - CPPs have been informed that as part of an 'agreement' with the Scottish Government - they should demonstrate that communities of place and interest have been consulted on strategic deployment of the Fund. In the terms and conditions governing investment of the grant, Partnerships are reminded of their statutory duties in relation to all equalities legislation. In conjunction with local authority and CPP contacts on the proposed use of FSF funding, SG officials will ensure that equalities issues are raised and will seek assurances that such issues have been considered in drawing up the relevant proposals. | Ongoing contact with CPPs on FSF issues. Annual progress report on FSF from each CPP. |
Supporting People is a funding framework for people in supported accommodation or in receipt of floating housing support. The programme was introduced throughout Great Britain in April 2003 in order to support vulnerable people in different types of accommodation and tenure in ways responsive to their needs. | Supporting People budget absorbed into local government settlement from April 2007. Local authorities continue to be responsible for the delivery of services from this now un ring fenced budget. Final guidance will remind local authorities of the need to ensure compliance with the equalities agenda. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support /Advice And Standards | Each year | Continuing similar services for the disabled as for other groups. |
HomePoint The Scottish National Standards for information and Advice Services explicitly adhere to equalities and accessibility issues in terms of resources and methods of delivery (building accessibility, outreach etc) | We equality proof our main policies, documents and publications and web based resources include measures and standards written into web software to improve usability and accessibility for people with disabilities including visual and hearing problems (font size and audio functions). We ensure that issues on disability are included in local authority information and advice strategies. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Access & Support /Advice And Standards | Ongoing | Ensure the needs of disabled groups are firmly kept in focus. |
Homelessness - in policy development | We have carried out an EQIA which shows how our policy impacts positively on disabled people. | Housing & Regeneration / Housing Access & Support/ Homelessness Team and ASD. | Fewer disabled people affected by homelessness. |
Review of social housing allocations policy | We will review current allocations requirements to ensure they are working as well as possible and deliver fair outcomes for the vulnerable groups that depend upon them. Reflecting equality considerations will be a key part of the review and we will undertake an EQIA during it; and ensure that we gather disabled people's views. The review may lead to new guidance on allocations, in which case this would include equalities requirements. | Housing & Regeneration/ Social Housing Division | By end 2009 | Ensure that social housing allocations promote equality of opportunity for disabled people and take account of disabled persons' disabilities |
Development of policy on value of social housing. | The housing discussion document Firm Foundations outlined a series of proposals for improving the value that social landlords provide for their tenants and taxpayers. These include modernising the regulation of social housing and securing better value for public investment in new social housing. As options for taking forward these policies are developed, they will be subject to EQIA scrutiny. | Housing & Regeneration/ Social Housing Division | Continuing | Policies that define value for tenants in terms that take full account of what constitutes value for disabled people. |
Affordable Housing Investment Programme | Ensure the organisations we fund demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunities. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Investment Division | Ongoing |
Strategic Housing Investment Framework | Ensure the assessment processes for strategies of our partners include an assessment of their commitment to equalities. | Housing & Regeneration/ Housing Investment Division | ongoing |
Mainstream our scrutiny of equality issues in the inspection of social landlords. | All published inspection reports to include a range of assessments on equality issues including disability such as physical access, access to information in appropriate formats and access to services. | Scottish Housing Regulator, Inspection Team | Throughout inspection programme for 2008/09 | Holding landlords to account for the services they provide to disabled people. |
Ensure the SHR website is accessible and available in different formats. | The website meets accessibility standards and functionality for disabilities and makes it clear how documents in different formats can be accessed. Requests for information in different formats are monitored. | Scottish Housing Regulator, Corporate services team | Throughout 2008/09 | Straightforward access to information published on the SHR website. |
Continue to provide landlords with easy access to up-to-date and relevant information on broader equalities duties including disability duties. | Self-assessment information on equalities duties is published on the website and kept up to date. | Scottish Housing Regulator, Policy team and Inspection team | Information published 1 April 2007. To be reviewed during 2008-09 | Landlords have access to information that helps them to continuously improve their services to people with disabilities. |
Collect and report on equalities information about our staff | As an Scottish Government agency we will ensure that we are able to report on equalities groups, including disabilities. | Scottish Housing Regulator, Corporate services team | Systems established by end June 2007. | Effective equalities monitoring systems |
Correspondence/ published material | We will continue ensure our correspondence is accessible to equalities groups and to look for ways of improving access to information we publish by: - making our published material available in a variety of formats
- ensuring our website continues to meet SG guidelines on accessibility
- making sure the photographs and images we use in published materials reflect and present positive images of the diverse communities we work with
producing material in plain English | Housing & Regeneration/ All divisions | Ongoing | Published information accessible to all disability groups |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
The Administration of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland was established as an Executive Agency on 1 April 2005 and commenced live operations on 5 October 2005 when the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 came into force.
The Administration is responsible for providing case management and hearing support to ensure that the Tribunal can, through the panels sitting across Scotland, determine the applications and referrals made to it under the Act. We work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the administrative processes not only comply with the requirements of legislation but run as smoothly as possible to provide the best service to the people of Scotland.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
The Agency will ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to disability equality, including the need to involve disabled people in policy making.
We aim to ensure that disabled people are involved in the development of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and in the design, development and delivery of our services which recognise and respond sensitively to the individual needs and circumstances of disabled people's lives.
In addition, we also aim to counter inequalities related to disabilities throughout the Agency.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
We currently have one member of staff who is disabled. Additional equipment and assistance have been provided.
We have purchased a portable Hearing Loop System for use at our offices in Hamilton and at any of our venues across Scotland when required.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Training | Staff and members will have disability awareness training. | MHTS | Ongoing | Awareness of the issues faced by those with disabilities. Staff will be able to interact with disabled people in a confident and appropriate manner. Over 50% of Tribunal members have now attended a two day course on assisting people with learning disabilities who come before a Mental Health Tribunal panel. This was carried out in conjunction with the Scottish Consortium on Learning Disabilities, People First and our training provider. All Tribunal members will receive training on equality and diversity during 2008 whether they have already received this in another area of their work or not. |
Recruitment | Staff and Members are selected with due regard to disability policy. | MHTS | Ongoing | Members and staff are recruited with disabilities to ensure equality. |
Develop support for disabled employees | Dedicated staff will be assigned with the task of constantly reviewing and suggesting new processes to assist people with disabilities. New recruits are approached at Induction to see what, if any, additional equipment / assistance is required. Publicise to staff details of what additional assistance is available. | MHTS | Ongoing | Current internal and external processes will be reviewed and revised regularly. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.