Equality Impact Assessing the South Wales Programme Joanne Davies (ABMU Health Board) Richard Self (NHS CEHR) March 2014 Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Background to the SWP Collaboration between 5 Health Boards in partnership with Welsh Ambulance Services Trust First time these organisations worked together as much Working with 5 different Community Health Councils Reviewing the way in which some specialist hospital services are provided across South Wales: Consultant led Maternity care Care of very sick babies Inpatient children’s services Accident & Emergency Services Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

SWP Engagement Overview Phase 1 – Engagment: Starting of working together, but quite ad hoc Highlighted very different practices & standards of engagement Different processes in place Extent of equality focused engagement variable Different practices on supporting engagement (e.g. expenses, standards of venues used etc) Phase 2 - Consultation: Consultation Framework produced & agreed! Consultation Institute official appraisal / accreditation Standardised approach to consultation Various versions of document produced Full Document, English & Welsh Summary Document, Bilingual Braille, English & Welsh Easy Read Talking Book, English & Welsh BSL Video Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Challenges for the EIA Large scale complex programme. Coordination challenge – eg 50 public meetings Potentially controversial. Regional rationale, but local responsibility. Equality as an equal partner? First collaborative EIA in Welsh NHS. Timescales. Data. Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

SWP – EIA Approach Project management principles. Planners & Equality Leads learning from each other 3E’s group. Comprehensive and proactive engagement. Iterative design. Crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Lessons Learned What worked well Collaborative approach. Build in equality from outset. Timescales – be flexible. Demonstrate a continuing process. Engagement – be comprehensive and inclusive. Communicate. Keep your key stakeholders on board. Holistic approach (health impact, human rights). Scrutiny – prepare the ground. Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

SWP Responses Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights 7

Lessons Learned What could be improved A better awareness of what information will be required, and identification of who is responsible for the data. Equality not prioritised as highly as could have been. Greater involvement of equality staff from outset. Early agreement on consultation framework which enables more realistic planning of work Timescales - make sure they are realistic. Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Lessons Learned – Planner Perspective Takes time to work together effectively across organisations Need to focus on standardising approaches, detail can vary Build on strengths of different organisations Make sure you don’t “level down” Be aware that you are setting the standard for the future, you may wish to forget this, but the public won’t! Include equality leads from the start Do mid-term review so you can change / add to process Doing engagement / consultation properly takes time & resources Engagement / consultation requires lots of judgements about the best approach , very helpful to work through options as a group Particularly ensure sufficient reach to protected characteristic groups Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Contact Details Joanne Davies joanne.davies5@wales.nhs.uk Richard Self richard.self2@wales.nhs.uk richard.self@wlga.gov.uk Canolfan y GIG ar gyfer Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol - The NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights