Director of Human Resources and Facilities
Originator: / Kathryn Stuart
Head of Planning and Corporate Services
Eleanor Shingleton Smith
Assistant HR Director
Date to Board of Directors: / 2nd July 2010
Issue no: / 2
Date: / 20thJuly 2010
Single Equality Scheme – report on the consultation and responses
(March – May 2010).
1. Introduction
The Trust recognises the importance of consultation with the public and its staff in the development and implementation of its responsibilities for Equality and Diversity. Involvement and consultation help give minority groups/protected characteristics an opportunity to provide input about the provision of care. The Trust took direct and positive action to engage and involve as many local groups as possible during the consultation period; an extensive database now exists and the relationship with local group co-ordinators/facilitators and the trust is now strengthened. It is now intended to use the established contacts on a regular basis for evidence gathering, consultation and involvement (to be determined by the individuals themselves).
The Trust already has a variety of specialist nurses groups and foundation trust members meetings which take place at regular intervals under the auspices of the Director of Nursing for patient engagement and public involvement. The Trust in addition also drew on its local staff knowledge to set up a series of staff focus groups to consider this scheme.
The Trust for completeness has decided to merge into this document the results of the interim Race and Disability Equality Scheme 2009-10 consultation feedback. The suggestions raised have been marked with an * in the relevant summary (see Appendix 2 &3).
2. Method of Consultation and Involvement
a)Public Groups
i) Those representing protected characteristics
In the case of the Single Equality Scheme (SES) the Trust made contact with over 80 local groups.
See Appendix 1 –Key Partners and Groups contacted about the Single Equality Scheme
All groups listed were traced for a communications contact address or email address and were phoned if a phone number was available. The groups were asked (as part of an upbeat phone call)to take part in the Single Equality Scheme (SES) Consultation (March to May 2010) and the Emergency Department Consultation. The groups and representatives were offered the following three options:
- To be sent a copy of the SES, with a response sheet and asked to let FrimleyParkHospital know if they have any further priorities they feel the hospital should be addressing
and /or
- To be visited by a senior trust manager who would listen to any issues they may have with services delivery/customer care
and/or
- To have a senior manager attend a pre-existing meeting of the group to listen to any issues they feel they would like to discuss.
All Groups agreeing to help with the consultations received packs and a covering letter indicating the weblink to the full draft SES on the Trust’s website. The SESresponse sheet sent to all groups was short, but listed out all protected characteristicsin turn and asked respondents to consider how the Trust could improve its services to each group. The respondent was also asked to rank the improvements as either ‘high, medium or low’ in importance.
The results of theinvitation to be part of the consultation were varied and a full collation of the results received by group has been made and will be made available if requested.
ii) Additional Activity with Other’s Meetings (Disability)
The following summarises the involvement with local disability groups occurred during the consultation period: two specialist event days for the disabled, the trust attended a coalition meeting, the trust attended a series of events for those with Alzheimer’s and a meeting was arranged with a local mental health group just after the finish of the consultation period:
- SurreyCoalition of Disabled People (meeting at HighCrossChurch – mixed disability group) 5th May 2010 – a senior manager attended to involve the 10participants in the design of the new Emergency Department and to ask for views to go forward for the Single Equality Scheme. Surrey Coalition had also agreed to mail out to their 350 members the Trusts Single Equality Scheme and Emergency Department questionnaire (at the Trust expense).Members of this group then came forward to assist with the plans for the new department and have agreed to be on-going contacts.
- Big Talk (consultation day for NHS trusts and those with learning disability) 13th May 2010– a representative from the Occupational Therapy Department attended this meeting with around 80 individuals attending. Thefeedback comments about the hospital and suggested recommendations were noted and added to the consultation responses.
- Rushmoor Access Open Day (stallholders who run services for those with disability had open stands in the local shopping centre) 13th May 2010 –two managers from the trust attended. One manager - the E&D lead for Services talked to and listened to the views of all stallholders and those visiting the stands. Contacts were also made with groups to assist with the new Emergency Department design stage. Over 100 local people were spoken to at this event and their comments added to the responses.
- Local Alzheimer’s Groups – an Occupational Therapist with special interest in developing dementia services attended three local groups during the consultation period. In total around 80 carers and patients were actively invited to respond and discuss needs and the comments recorded.
- Meeting with Parkside (Local Charity for those with mental health conditions) 17thJune –scoping meeting held with the group’s CEO to share current resources, consideration being given to having specialist trained learning disability ‘visitors’ to calm and reassure these patients whilst in hospital.
iii) General Public
In addition to the above the following approaches were also made to the general public:
- All those attending the monthly constituency meeting (>85 each month) were given an ‘Equality and Diversity feedback leaflet’ (freepost)
- The Foundation Trust Newsletter (10k public circulation) carried the ‘Equality and Diversity feedback leaflet’ and demographic survey in the May 10 edition (freepost).
- Patient Experience and Involvement Group (Feb 2010) – were surveyed using the ‘Equality and Diversity feedback leaflet’.
- Stakeholder Group (March 2010) weresurveyed using the ‘Equality and Diversity feedback leaflet’in March 2010.
- LINkS (the three local groups) – were asked their opinion at a joint meeting held in May 10.
b) Staff Groups
In addition to the groups outlined in Appendix 1, staff were consulted internally on the Single Equality Scheme. Particular groups consulted were the Equality and Diversity Steering Group, the Unit Staff Council, General Managers and Heads of Service and Trust Managers and staff. In addition, the newly established BME Staff Network was consulted. A number of staff focus groups were arranged to seek the views of particular equality groups – BME, men, women and disabled staff – but only disabled staff took up the opportunity. Views were also sought about how working lives of staff can be improved from the perspective of different equality groups through Equality and Diversity awareness training. Finally, views of staff were sought by global email and our Foundation Trust Newsletter.
The following gives examples of how consultation was actioned for staff:
- Global email to all staff with a short survey to complete and a leaflet summarising the SES, setting out the top ten priorities and ask for feedback
- Pre-consultation and consultation involvement. An ‘Equality and Diversity feedback leaflet’ was handed out to staff following their Equality and Diversity training sessions
3.Results
A summary of the main issues coming back from all the public and staff groups can be seen in:
- Appendix 2- Results from Single Equality Scheme Consultation – Summary of Suggested Improvements to Services
- Appendix 3- Results from Single Equality Scheme Consultation –Summary of Suggested Improvements for Staff
During the collation of the results it was welcomed that in some cases staff and the public were suggesting the same improvement was necessary (the public have been recorded in blue and the staff in greenin the appendices).The total number of comments were as follows:
- There have been over 100 collated issues raised about Services from the feedback received, these were received from the following sources:
- 171 from paper survey forms
- 1 from the telephone contact only
- 30 from meetings and access days
- There have been over 50 issues raised about factors relating to Staff from the feedback received,these were received from the following sources:
- 350 responses from the staff email survey
- 5 responses from the disabled focus group
- 25 responses from the Equality and Diversity Training
The collated suggested improvements for service and staff have all been initially considered by the lead Executive Directors and their General Managers. Where a definite agreed action has been identified this has been added to the Trust ‘Rolling Equality and Diversity Action Plan’ and is indicated in ‘red’. The other non-red actions in the appendices are already part of another programme of work or are still being considered by the managers.
4.Conclusion
The consultation produced a large number of areas for consideration as to how the services and staff areas could improve. The Trust is grateful to all those who have taken the time to fill out the short questionnaires and make their views known to the senior managers. The next stage will be for all comments to be fully considered and for the possible solutions to be examined. The Trust where possible will need to decide if it is able to commit management time and budget to making the suggested improvements.
5. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Trust now asks the Executive Directors and their General Managers and Heads for Service to consider the suggestions for actions which come under their area of control produced by the consultation. The outcome of this consideration (once costed and considered if practical) willfully completed versions of Appendix 2&3. These appendices will then need to be presented back to the Equality and Diversity Steering Group and the Corporate Governance Groupfor final additional actions to be added to the Single Equality Scheme action plan.
The public and the staff have a right to know the outcome of the discussions and the items the Trust will be taking forward. The Trust will commit to placing an article in its Foundation Trust Newsletter, issuing a press release and writing to all those public groups noted in Appendix 1. It is hoped in this way to encourage continued on-going involvement and the positive knowledge that the trust has listened and fully considered suggestions put forward.
Kathryn Stuart, Head of Planning and Corporate Services
Eleanor Shingleton Smith, Assistant HR Director
20th July 2010
Appendix 1
Key Partners and Groups Contacted About the Single Equality SchemeGroups name / Strand
represented / No. represented / Contact made
by post/email / Visit undertaken
Age Concern Berkshire / Age / not known / 13/4/10
Age Concern Farnborough Local Group / Age / 36 / 13/4/10
Age Concern Hampshire / Age / 100s / 13/4/10
Age Concern Surrey / Age / 100s / 13/4/10
Age Concern Surrey Heath / Age / 80 / 13/4/10
Frimley & Camberley Age Concern / Age / 40 / 13/4/10
NHS Retirement Club / Age / not known / 13/4/10
Sandhurst Day Centre / Age / 25 / 13/4/10
Surrey Retirement Association / Age / not known / 13/4/10
The Elders Club, Age Concern, Farnborough / Age / 20 / 13/4/10
Action for Blind People / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Alton All Saints Hard of Hearing Club / Disability / 25 / 13/4/10
Alzheimer’s Society, Blackwater / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Alzheimer Café / Disability / not known / - / April 10
Alzheimer's Society Carers Support Group - Fleet / Disability / not known / - / April 10
Alzheimer's Society Carers Support Group - Sandhurst / Disability / not known / - / April 10
Big Health Talk
(Learning Disabilities Conference)Farnborough, Hants PCT / Disability / not known / - / 13/05/10
BSL – Farnborough Miscellaneous Club / Disability / 15 / 13/4/10
Camberley District Open Mind Association / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Contact a Family / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
deafPLUS / Disability / 30 / 13/4/10
Diabetes UK, Blackwater Valley Support Group / Disability / 30 / 13/4/10
Disability Challengers Farnham / Disability / 20 / 13/4/10
Disability Initiative / Disability / 80 / 13/4/10
Farnborough & District Speakability Group / Disability / 20 / 13/4/10
Farnborough Deaf & Signing Club / Disability / 20 / 13/4/10
Farnborough deaf club / Disability / 40 / 13/4/10
Farnborough Multiple Sclerosis Society / Disability / 15 / 13/4/10
Hart Herons Disabled Swimming Club / Disability / 15 / 13/4/10
Just Advocacy / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Leonard Cheshire Foundation - Southern region / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Matrix Advocacy / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
MS Support & Therapy Group / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
National Autistic Society - Hart and Rushmoor Branch / Disability / 25 / 13/4/10
National Autistic Society Hart / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
North West Surrey Association of Disabled People / Disability / 100s / 13/4/10
Oak Farm Leisure & Activities Club ( OFLAC) / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Open Sight / Disability / 30 / 13/4/10
Parents Action Group (PAG) for Special Play / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Parity For Disability / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Parkside (Aldershot and District Mencap) / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Rushmoor Access Group / Disability / 50 / 13/4/10
Rushmoor Access Group / Disability / not known / 13/4/10 / 13/05/10
Rushmoor Mallards / Disability / 20 / 13/4/10
Shaw Trust (B&V) / Disability / not known / 26/3/10
Stroke Association / Disability / 25 / 13/4/10
Surrey Coalition of Disabled People / Disability / 350 / 13/4/10 / 05/05/10
Surrey Community Action / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
WIDE / Disability / not known / 13/4/10
Woking Talking Newspaper / Disability / 100s / 13/4/10
Al-Asr Education & Community Centre/ M.A. Al-Kharafi IslamicCentre / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Baha’i Community of Godalming (serving Surrey Heath and North Hants) / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Buddhist / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Camberley Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Camberley Islamic Welfare Association / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Camberley Mosque / Faith / 250+ / 26/3/10
Christian Orthodox (Russian & Greek) / Faith / 30+ / 26/3/10
Christian Science Society / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) / Faith / 250 / 26/3/10
Churches together in Aldershot (distributed via Churches Together to all ChristianChurches in Aldershot and Surrounding Areas) / Faith / 000's / 26/3/10
Churches together in Surrey Heath (distributed via Churches Together to all ChristianChurches in Surrey Heath) / Faith / 000's / 26/3/10
Guildford and District Synagogue (Jewish) / Faith / 50+ / 26/3/10
Hampshire Buddhist Society / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Hindu / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Jain / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Muslim Community Centre (Masjid & Madrasa) / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Farnborough / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Woking / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Shah Jehan Mosque Woking / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Sikh / Faith / 80 / 26/3/10
Spiritualist / Faith / 70 / 26/3/10
Surrey Heath Muslim Association / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Surrey Interfaith Fellowship / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
The School of Oriental and Religious Studies / Faith / not known / 26/3/10
Aldershot and District West Indian Association (Farnborough) / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Berks/Hants/Surrey Bengali Welfare Association / Race / not known / 26/3/10
British Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation / Race / not known / 26/3/10
British Gurkha Welfare Society / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Chitwan Aid Trust / Race / not known / 26/3/10
EMTAS / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Federation of Poles in Great Britain / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Filipino Association in Central Hampshire / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Greater Rushmoor Nepalese Community / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Hungarian Cultural Group / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Nepalese Embassy / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Philippine Association of SurreyUK / Race / not known / 26/3/10
SouthAfrica.com / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Talent Aid / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Tamudhee Association UK / Race / not known / 26/3/10
UK Magar Association / Race / not known / 26/3/10
Farnborough Working Men’s Club / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Metropole Social and Working Men’s Club, Deepcut / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Soroptimist International - Woking & District / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
South Farnborough Working Men’s Club / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
The American Women of Surrey / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Women's Aid - Berkshire / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Women's Institute Aldershot / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Women's Institute Bagshot / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Women's Institute Hampshire / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Women's Institute - Surrey Federation of / Gender Issues / not known / 26/3/10
Berkshire Older Lesbian and Gay Forum (BOLGAF) / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
BM Kenric / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
Gay Berkshire / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
Gay Surrey / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
Outline/“Courage” - The Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
Positive Living / Sexual Orientation / not known / 26/3/10
Foundation Trust Members / All Areas / 10k / Posted with N/L
Appendix 2
Results from Single Equality Scheme Consultation – Summary of Suggested Improvements to Services
Staff comments in green and Public comments in blueandProposed Additions for Rolling E&D Action Plan in red
Area/Issue identified in the SES consultation / Possible solution / Trusts decision and Manager responsible for acting on decisionEstates issues
Day Rooms/recreation areas – are needed where patients could sit, eat, talk - encourages interaction and mobility and recovery / Desirable - as in old fashioned nightingale wards. Close Bays within wards as ‘Day rooms’.