Equality Analysis – Interpreting
Equality Analysis is a process of systematically analysing a new or existing policy or service to identify what impact or likely impact it will have on different groups within the community. The primary concern is to identify any discriminatory or negative consequences for a particular group or sector of the community. Equality Analysis can be carried out in relation to service delivery as well as employment policies and strategies.
This template has been developed to use as a framework when carrying out an Equality Analysis on a policy, service or function. It is intended that this is used as a working document throughout the process, with a final version being published on Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust website.
1) Policy / function detailsDirectorate: Trust - wide / Department/Service: / Lead: Shirley Hazeldine
Details of people involved in the policy / function development or review
The review of this policy has involved discussions with the Trust’s
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Quality, Director of Transformation and Compliance, , Risk Manager, and Personnel Manager with responsibility for Equality, Disability Awareness Facilitator. / Start date:
Oct 2014
Name of policy / function / Policy interpreting and translation services
Scope of the policy / function / This policy covers services for both interpreting and translation for patients attending services provided by this Trust.
The policy applies to all members of staff working within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust who are involved in communication any way with patients or the public.
Purpose of policy / function / Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust seeks to communicate effectively with all our patients to enable them to understand information that is important to their healthcare and wellbeing and to help them ask appropriate questions to make informed decisions. We also have a legal duty to ensure that we can communicate information to our patients and service users in a way that is appropriate to their particular requirements e.g. large print and Braille information is available on request or documents are available to be translated into different languages as required.
See policy for full details
2) Stage Two: scoping and analysing equality information
List the sources of evidence you have for different people from each protected group (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation?
Use qualitative or quantitative data, research or reports
Source of information
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has a duty to provide communication support for people, where there is a need. This helps us to provide equitable and accessible services, meet the public sector equality duty, and ensure we do not discriminate in accordance with the Equality Act (2010).
The lack of interpreting facilities may lead to, for example, inappropriate medical treatment, and may also be seen as a breach of article 2, Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 2: right to life).
In addition to the information about how this policy is to be monitored and reviewed, anecdotal evidence from front line staff is also considered and acted upon to ensure that services provided remain appropriate.
www.nhs.uk/aboutNHSChoices / Please see Shirley Hazeldine, PALS Manager for monitoring information.
There is legal duty on NHS organisations to involve people and their representatives in decisions about services.
Provide details of feedback from people who are affected by the policy/ function, and any consultation or engagement activities undertaken: / The Trust has developed guidelines for making information more accessible to read, in partnership with local learning disability groups.
The Disability Forum helps to monitor and review access to translation and interpreting for Deaf patients.
Does the evidence suggest the policy / function affects or is likely to affect any of the following groups differently (either positively or negatively)
See section 6.1 for arrangements to ensure that interpreting services are used in a fair and ethical manner, without compromising the rights of any individuals.
Age / No
Disability / Yes – the policy will have a positive impact in ensuring Deaf patients access interpreting support.
Gender reassignment / No
Marriage and Civil Partnership / No
Pregnancy and maternity / No
Race / Yes – the policy will have a positive impact in ensuring patients who do not read/speak English, or for whom English is a second language – to access interpreting support if required
Religion or belief / No
Sex / Yes – the policy will have a positive impact as it allows for gender specific interpreters to be booked where this is an important requirement for a patient – for example for cultural or faith reasons.
Sexual orientation
andupational Health Department,detailed above.ased risk, ealth / No
If there is a greater effect on one group, is that consistent with the policy aims? / Yes, the policy aims to promote equality and ensure the Trust does not discriminate.
How does the policy / function meet the aim to promote equality of opportunity on the grounds of …? / See section 6.
How does the policy /function meet the aim of eliminating discrimination on the grounds of …? / See section 6.
How does the policy / function meet the aim of fostering positive relations between people of different groups? / The policy does not aim to directly foster positive relationships between people of different groups.
To apply core human rights values, such as equality, dignity, privacy, respect and involvement, to all organisational service planning and decision making / The lack of interpreting facilities may lead to, for example, inappropriate medical treatment, and may also be seen as a breach of article 2, Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 2: right to life).
See section 6 for full details.
3) Stage Three: monitoring and review
No major change: The analysis demonstrates that the policy or decision is robust, the evidence shows no potential for discrimination, and that all appropriate opportunities to advance equality and foster good relations between groups have been taken / √
Adjust the policy – This involves taking steps to remove barriers or to better advance equality. It can mean introducing measures to mitigate the potential effect. It is lawful under the Equality Act to treat people differently in some circumstances, for example taking positive action or putting in place single-sex provision where there is a need for it. It is both lawful and a requirement of the general equality duty to consider if there is a need to treat disabled people differently, including more favourable treatment where necessary.
Attach the action plan to this equality analysis
Continue the policy – This means adopting the proposals, despite any adverse effect or missed opportunities to advance equality, provided the decision-maker is satisfied that it does not unlawfully discriminate. In cases where you believe discrimination is not unlawful because it is objectively justified, it is particularly important that you record what the objective justification is for continuing the policy, and how you reached this decision.
Attach details of the objective justification to this equality analysis
Stop and remove the policy – If there are adverse effects that are not justified and cannot be mitigated, the decision-maker should consider stopping the policy altogether. If a policy shows unlawful discrimination it must be removed or changed.
How will you monitor the impact of the policy / function?
Policy Sponsor / Shirley Hazeldine
Approving Committee
Date of approval