Working as part of the NHS Equality and Diversity Council (EDC), the NHS Commissioning Board is inviting a wide range of views to inform the development of the national strategy to promote equality and reduce health inequalities. The strategy will set out a clear approach, reflective of the values of the NHS Constitution, for promoting equality and reducing health inequalities for all groups across the life course.
Professor Steve Field, deputy medical director with responsibility for health inequalities, and Paula Vasco-Knight, national equality lead, will lead this work.
A transformational national strategy will ensure that reducing health inequalities and promoting equality and human rights lies at the heart of the NHS, its values, processes and behaviours. The strategy will support the NHS to embed the values and principles of the NHS Constitution at every level within its structures and processes. It will reflect the needs of a diverse workforce and population and seek the commitment of organisations across health and care.
It is proposed that the strategy will include a number of key priorities linked to the following work streams:
1. Diverse leaders and staff
2. Listening and learning
3. Gaining, using and sharing knowledge
4. Making the system work
5. Improving lives
The priorities are set out in the ‘creating a personal, fair and diverse health and care service’ survey guide, which can be found here: www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/files/2013/02/pfd-survey-guide.pdf
To complete the survey, visit: https://www.engage.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/consultation/edc by Sunday 31 March 2013.
For further information, visit: www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/2013/02/28/edc-survey/