The Mutuality, Equality and Human Rights Board (MEHRB) was established in October 2008 to oversee commitments made in Better Health Better Care on mutuality and our work across NHSScotland on equality and human rights.
Better Health Better Care set out an ambitious and challenging programme of work to help move us towards a mutual NHS that has 'a more inclusive relationship with the Scottish people; a relationship where patients and the public are affirmed as partners rather than recipients of care.' The various actions that will form the basis of this mutual NHS sit closely alongside our ongoing commitment to equality and to meeting people's human rights; ensuring that all people benefit from a mutual NHS that is responsive to their individual needs and circumstances, and tackling unequal health outcomes whatever their cause.
The approach to implementing Better Health Better Care was set out in CEL (20) 2008, published on 13 May 2008. The actions in Better Health Better Care have been "packaged" together in a series of distinct, but inter-related work streams. Mutuality, Equality & Human Rights has been identified as one such work stream.
The Board has a strategic role in developing and influencing the Mutuality, Equality & Human Rights NHS agenda, as well as responsibility for overseeing the implementation of a range of mutuality, equality and human priorities. This involves responsibility for agreeing how priorities will be delivered, including allocation of responsibilities, agreeing timelines and outcome measures. Your contribution to the Board will be crucial in both influencing the direction of travel, agreeing current and future priorities and promoting learning that might support NHS Boards in achieving those HEAT targets that are aligned to the work stream.