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Equality and Diversity

The equalities agenda has seen significant changes over the past three years with the introduction and amendments to significant legislation. All public authorities have a responsibility to ensure their policies and services are reviewed to reflect this changing legislation and produce equality action plans to identify where improvements could be made.

Single Equality Scheme

The Single Equality Scheme sets out the Trust’s commitment to taking equality into account in everything we do, whether that is providing healthcare services to our local population, employing people, developing policies or communications and involving people in our work.

To access Bedford Hospital’s equality scheme please click on the link below:

Bedford Hospital's Single Equality Scheme 2010-2013

NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS)- Have Your Say

Bedford Hospital NHS Trust will be working with other public sector organisations in the county this year to implement a new Equality Delivery System (EDS) to improve the way in which people from different groups are treated as service users, carers and employees in the NHS. The EDS is a tool for NHS organisations, in partnership with patients, the public and staff to use to review their equality performance and to identify equality objectives and actions.

The EDS will be used in every NHS organisation in England meaning that wherever you go for NHS services you will find organisations working to the same set of nationally agreed objectives and outcome. The objectives are common across the NHS. These are:

  1. Better health outcomes for all
  2. Improved patient access and experience
  3. Empowered, engaged and well supported staff
  4. Inclusive leadership at all levels

Equality Delivery System Outcomes and Priorities

The Equality Delivery System for the NHS – Making Sure Everyone Counts. This contains background information on the EDs, why it is needed, how it should be implemented and what role different groups play towards achieving the standards.

The Equality Delivery System for the NHS – Grades Manual if you would like more detail on the goals and grading system.

If you would like further information on how Bedford Hospital NHS Trust is implementing the EDS or you would like to get involved in helping us with this in any way please contact Jo Fossey on 01234 355122 ext: 5562 or email jo.fossey@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk.

Milton Keynes Community Health Services MKCHS

MKCHS is currently being hosted by Bedford Hospital. To find out more about MKCHS’ equality duty compliance please visit the equality pages of their website.