North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group

Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs)

Continence Services

Version 1 / EIA process agreed by:
NEE CCG Operational Executive Committee / Issue Date:
12th August 2014
Review date:
11th August 2017

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Equality Impact Assessment Template

(You must complete all 5 sections of the template)

1.Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) Template
Title of EIA
(should clearly explain what you are assessing) / Community Continence and Urology Service / ID No.
Summary statement of change proposed
Provide background on what is being changed/re-designed with rationale / Continence and urology related conditions continue to place a significant amount of demand on the health care service yet research suggests that up to 80 % of urinary incontinence would be responsive to treatment irrespective of the age of the individual. Therefore it is anticipated that increased targeted work in relation to the prevention of continence issues and better control over the supply of continence related products such as pads and catheters will ensure patients’ needs are not only being picked up more quickly but are managed more effectively.
In conjunction with an Essex Wide review of Continence care which will include recommended good practice, North East Essex are reviewing the current community based continence and urology service to align to the Essex wide strategy. It needs to ensure that it continues to provide high quality care for our local population and is able to continue to meet their needs.
To build upon the current provision of the community continence service where the community clinic acts as a true gateway to the Acute clinic, the enhanced focus and elements of the service are detailed below;
  • Trial without catheter clinics to be undertaken in the Community rather than in Colchester Hospital.
  • Continence Products being centrally managed by the continence service to include:
The prescribing of continence related products rather than the GP, a product database to be held, evidencing patients who receive products and details of the type of products being used, ensuring regular assessment and correct use of product. This will provide better oversight and review of products and allow for better management of catheters in the community, and;
  • Community continence service to manage the continence budget, providing an incentive for less wastage and better oversight of product management.
  • Simplified process for people needing assessment, prescription and ongoing delivery of continence related products.
  • Increased training and support to GP practices and care homes across North East Essex to ensure continence issues are more readily picked up and preventative advice and action is taken.
  • Increased links with the voluntary services to ensure carers can access information on continence services and general management advice.

Name/Contact:
Team/Department:
Closing date for feedback: / Morag Kirkpatrick,
Business Delivery Manager
01206 286906

Care Closer to Home Team
Focus of EIA
A member of the public should have a good understanding of the policy or service and any proposals after reading this section. Please write any acronyms in full first time - eg: ‘Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)’ / In light of the proposed changes to the current Continence Service, how can we make sure that we do not discriminate, disadvantage or reduce the overall equality in regards to:
  • Reducing the amount of spend on continence products yet ensuring that all people have an appropriate assessment and have access to their required continence equipment and that this is regularly reviewed.
  • Enabling the continence service to manage the budget for prescribing, assessment and follow up of continence related products to provide a coordinated approach, and ensuring that the individual receives the right products, at the right time.

Please tick the groups this applies to: / Age / Disability / Gender Reassignment
Pregnancy and Maternity / Race / Religion/Belief
Sex / Sexual orientation / Marriage & Civil partnerships
Carers / Safeguarding & Vulnerable Groups
Other Groups : Please List

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2.Identifying known or potential impacts
You may wish to consider how an impact:
  • Could be avoided, reduced or minimised
  • Is unlawful discrimination, including victimisation or harassment. Please take advice immediately
  • Is not promoting equality of opportunity properly
  • Is effecting good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.i.e. prejudice or a need to Promote understanding
Protected Groups to be considered (click on link for hyperlink)
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Genderreassignment
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief (this includes lack of belief)
  • Sex (men and women)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Marriage and civil partnership (only in respect of the requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination)
  • Safeguarding and vulnerability
  • Other relevant groups

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Age (people of all ages)
What are the potential impacts on the protected group? If protected group not considered please summarise reasons / Acceptance of the service is for 18 years and above. There is a separate service for children. The referral criteria is dependent on clinical need not age. As part of an Essex wide pathway, the transition between adult and children continence service will be reviewed in 2015/16 but the service will accept children from 16 in exceptional circumstances and in discussion with the Children’s Continence service, again this is based on clinical need.
Summary of data about your service-users and/or staff
Summary of service-user and/or staff feedback
Analysis from data and feedback (actual and potential)
All potential actions to:
  • advance equality of opportunity,
  • eliminate discrimination, and
  • foster good relations
(You will prioritise these below in section 3)
Disability(a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Consider mental capacity and consent)
What are the potential impacts on the protected group? If protected group not considered please summarise reasons / The service referral criteria are dependent on clinical need. The service will offer a home assessment if the patient is deemed to be housebound. Clinics aim to be accessible and local although may require use of public transport to access.
Summary of data about your service-users and/or staff
Summary of service-user and/or staff feedback
Analysis from data and feedback (actual and potential)
All potential actions to:
  • advance equality of opportunity,
  • eliminate discrimination, and
  • foster good relations
(You will prioritise these below in section 3)
Pregnancy and maternity (protection is during pregnancy and any statutory maternity leave to which the woman is entitled)
What are the potential impacts on the protected group? If protected group not considered please summarise reasons / Acceptance based on clinical need
Summary of data about your service-users and/or staff
Summary of service-user and/or staff feedback
Analysis from data and feedback (actual and potential)
All potential actions to:
  • advance equality of opportunity,
  • eliminate discrimination, and
  • foster good relations
(You will prioritise these below in section 3)
Race(this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality, and caste, and includes refugees and migrants; and Gypsies and Travellers)
What are the potential impacts on the protected group? If protected group not considered please summarise reasons / Acceptance based on clinical need. Travelling groups will need to be able to attend clinics in local area or have a clinical need to warrant a home visit, e.g. be deemed housebound
Summary of data about your service-users and/or staff
Summary of service-user and/or staff feedback
Analysis from data and feedback (actual and potential)
All potential actions to:
  • advance equality of opportunity,
  • eliminate discrimination, and
  • foster good relations
(You will prioritise these below in section 3)
Carers
(Informal unpaid carers. Please consider that a carers can be anybody of any age, background or sexual orientation)
What are the potential impacts on the protected group? If protected group not considered please summarise reasons / No identified impact on carers. The changes should assist to improve any carers supporting a person with continence problems in terms of accessing appropriate equipment and addressing any clinical elements associated with continence problems.
Summary of data about your service-users and/or staff /
Summary of service-user and/or staff feedback /
Analysis from data and feedback (actual and potential) /
All potential actions to:
  • advance equality of opportunity,
  • eliminate discrimination, and
  • foster good relations
(You will prioritise these below in section 3) /

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