Disability Equality Action Plan 2009-12

Disability Equality Action Plan 2009-12

Disability equality action plan 2009-12

Outcomes not processes

An outcome is an end result, for example having staff who are all aware of disability equality issues and who can treat disabled people with dignity and respect. A process is how to get there, for example a training plan or revising the contents of the training course.

We have tried to focus the actions in this plan on outcomes as much as possible. Sometimes it is difficult to measure outcomes, but during the life of this Disability Equality Scheme we will develop ways of doing this.

What is in the plan

This plan is based on the ten Capabilities or “rights” in the UK Equalities Measurement Framework. In many cases NHS Lothian needs to make improvements to the way it provides its services, and the way it employs people, to ensure that disabled people can achieve these rights. These are shown in the form of actions that NHS Lothian must take.

You will see references to NHS Lothian strategies and policies in this action plan. For more information about these, contact us.

You will also see references to involvement events in this action plan. We have included these so that it is possible to see how we have taken account of comments from disabled people. Not every action has a link to involvement, because some of them are actions that we have identified ourselves.

1. The right to be alive
For example, being able to avoid premature death through disease, neglect, injury or suicide.
Human Rights reference: Article 3 – the Right to Life
Outcome / Actions to achieve this / Department or person responsible / How progress is to be measured / Baseline / Timescale / Link to involvement
1.1 Fewer deaths through intentional self harm, suicide. / (a) Implement Choose Life and Suicide Prevention Training programmes / Strategic Programme Manager, Mental Health
Choose Life Implementation Manager
Co-ordinator, Suicide Prevention Training Programme / Wide range of indicators embedded in these prog-rammes, includes HEAT target indicators / See HEAT monitoring reports / Annually / Involvement event 5 August 2009
1.2 Disabled children do not face inequity in child protection arrangements. / (a) Support UN Convention on the Rights of the Child / Child Health Commissioner
Strategic Programme Manager, Women and Children / Baseline to be determined / To be determined / June 2010 / None
1.3 Improved life expectancy for disabled people / (a) Improve accessibility of health promotional materials via NHS Lothian Communication Strategy / Communications Department; Health Promotion / Monitoring/ audit process to be developed. / No current baseline / June 2011 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
(b) Improve accessibility of preventative and screening services / Director of Public Health & Health Policy
Family Planning
Breast Screening,Bowel Screening, Eye, Neonatal and other services
Primary Care / Monitoring/ audit process to be developed. / Baseline to be determined during 2009-10 / June 2012 / Disability Equality Steering Group 13 August 2009. Involvement event 5 August 2009
(c) Implement Adult Support and Protection strategies relating to training and protocols / Training Department
Strategic Programme Manager – Older People / Number of staff trained.
Evaluation of training. / Number for 2008-9 / June 2012 / None
(d) Implement Health Care Action Plan to address health inequalities for adults and children with Learning Disabilities / Service leads
Health Inequalities – Learning Disability Project Manager
Strategic Programme Manager – Disabilities
Lothian Learning Disability Partnership Board / Plan has a range of indicators and monitoring processes. / See the plan for information / June 2012 / None
2. The right to live in physical security
For example, being free from violence and abuse including sexual, disability, emotional and identity-based violence.
Human Rights reference: Article 5 – the Right to Liberty & Security
Outcome / Actions to achieve this / Department or person responsible / How progress is to be measured / Baseline / Timescale / Link to involvement
2.1 Disabled people, particularly those with sensory impairments, in long term care are safer and protected from violence and abuse. / (a) Implement Protection of Vulnerable Adults training programme across Lothian, as for 1.3(c) above / Training Department
Service leads, Continuing Care/Care of the Elderly / Number of staff trained.
Evaluation of training. / Number for 2008-9: awaiting data / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
(b) Rolling programme to train NHS Lothian staff in Deaf awareness – action in Joint Physical & Complex Disabilities Strategy / Strategic Programme Managers – Disability, Mental Health, Older People’s Services
Training Department / Number of staff trained / To be set / June 2011 / None
2.2 Improved security of car parks, NHS premises and open spaces for disabled people. / (a) Revise security policies for NHS Lothian premises via impact assessment / Estates/ Facilities Department / Monitoring/ audit process to be developed / No baseline set / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
(b) Ensure that plans for new or redeveloped premises address security for disabled people via effective impact assessment / Head of Equality & Diversity
Transport Group / Impact assessments completed
Monitoring of impact assessment outcomes via Quality Improvement Programmes / No baseline set / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
3. The right to be healthy
For example, being able to:

• attain the highest possible standard of individual physical and mental wellbeing, including sexual and reproductive health
• access timely and impartial information about health, wellbeing and healthcare options
• access healthcare, including non-discrimination in access to healthcare
• be treated medically, or subject to experiment, only with informed consent
• maintain a healthy lifestyle including exercise and nutrition

Human Rights reference: none
Outcome / Actions to achieve this / Department or person responsible / How progress is to be measured / Baseline / Timescale / Link to involvement
3.1 Staff are aware of disability equality issues and have positive attitudes to disabled people / (a) Develop existing training framework for NHS Lothian staff / Training Department / Equality Training Framework produced
Number of staff trained in disability equality annually
Training evaluations / Awaiting number of staff trained in disability equality issues in 2008-9
Awaiting data on positive evaluations from participants / December 2010 / Disability Equality Steering Group 13 August 2009. Involvement event 5 August 2009. Learning Disability workshop 22 July 2009.
(b) Promote disability equality training to contracted services (e.g. GPs, primary care, voluntary organisations) and in partnership with Local Authorities / Contracting teams
Community Health Partnerships / Monitoring of agreement compliance
Feedback from disabled people / No current baseline / June 2011 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(c) Include training outcomes in standard agreements with contracted services / Contracting teams. Community Health Partnerships / Condition included in Service Level Agreements
Monitoring of compliance as for 3.1(b) above / No current baseline / June 2011 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(d) Publicity and promotional materials promote positive attitudes to disability / Communic-ations Department, via NHS Lothian Communic-ations Strategy
Service leads / Strategy revised to include specific actions
Monitoring/ audit process to be developed / No current baseline / June 2010 / Disability Equality Steering Group 13 August 2009
3.2 Promotional materials and information on services should be accessible to disabled people, including Deaf people and people with a learning disability. / (a) Revise Communication Strategy / Communic-ations Department
Service leads / Strategy revised to include specific actions
Monitoring/ audit process to be developed / No current baseline / June 2010 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009.
Learning Disability workshop 22 July 2009.
(b) Promote Communication Strategy across NHS Lothian, targeting staff who produce information & promotional materials / Communic-ations Department / Monitoring/ audit process to be developed / No current baseline / June 2011 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009.
Learning Disability workshop 22 July 2009.
(c) Implement Clinical Information for Patients Framework / Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / Range of indicators in Framework / To be determined / June 2012 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009.
Learning Disability workshop 22 July 2009.
3.3 Premises providing health services are more accessible to disabled people. / (a) Improve availability and maintenance of hearing loops across NHS Lothian premises, GP practices, dentists, other primary care premises
Develop monitoring processes to evaluate progress. / Facilities Department
Equality Leads / Monitor number of loops fitted or made available. / Number of working loops as at summer 2009 / June 2011 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009.
(b) Roll out training programme for staff in use of loop systems as part of training framework / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a)
(c) Promote purchase of hearing loops & premises modifications to contracted services and premises through contracting arrangements / Procurement & Contracting teams / Monitor via contract compliance
Feedback from disabled people / No current baseline / June 2012 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009.
(d) Continue programme of modifications to buildings to meet requirements of the DDA 1995 & develop monitoring/ audit process / Estates/ Facilities Department / Number of access audits completed.
Other indicators to be developed. / Awaiting data on number of access audits completed 2006-9 / June 2012 / Midlothian workshop 15 June 2009
Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(e) Revise the Car Parking Strategy to make improved provision of parking spaces for disabled car users / Estates/ Facilities Department / Monitor number of spaces for disabled car users
Access audits
Feedback from disabled people / Awaiting data on number of spaces for disabled car users as of summer 2009 / June 2011 / Midlothian workshop 15 June 2009
Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(f) Improve provision of ramps in car parks / Facilities Department / Monitoring/ audit process to be developed during 2010 / No current baseline / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
(g) Work with Acute services to ensure that children are examined and treated in facilities appropriate to their age and size. / Equality leads / No current measures in place. To be determined during the lifetime of the Scheme. / No current baseline / June 2012 / Consultation response November 2009
3.4 It is easier for disabled people to communicate with health services / (a) Revise Interpreting, Translation & Communication Support Policy to promote availability to all NHS Lothian services / Equality Leads
Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / Monitor expenditure, number of bookings, services booking, number of hours / Expenditure, number of hours, number of bookings for 2008-9 / June 2011 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009
Learning disability workshop 22 July 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(b) Develop existing training framework for all NHS Lothian staff - see action 3.1(a) / See 3.1(a) / See 3.1(a) / See 3.1(a) / See 3.1(a) / Disability Equality Steering Group 13 August 2009
Learning disability workshop 22 July 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(c) Implement Clinical Information for Patients Framework / Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / Range of indicators in Framework / No current baseline / June 2011 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
3.5 NHS Lothian has a clearer picture of how disabled people use its services and benefit from them / (a) Roll out “Happy to Ask, Happy to Tell” training programme across NHS Lothian / Associate Director, Training & Workforce Development / Number of staff attending training, by division/ service/ role / 10 staff have attended training from Jan-Sept 09 / June 2011 / None
(b) Develop and implement diversity monitoring strategy including Better Together and Patient Experience programmes / Equality leads
Director of Public Health & Health Policy
Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / Strategy developed
Range of monitoring processes developed / NHS Lothian figure for ethnic monitoring in services: 4% in August 2009. Lower for disability. / June 2011 / None
3.6 NHS Lothian has improved compliance with its equality impact assessment policies / (a) Implement impact assessment communication plan / Head of Equality & Diversity / Range of indicators including number of impact assessments completed by service / Awaiting data / June 2010 / None
(b) Develop impact assessment training provision as part of training framework – see action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a) / See action 3.1(a)
(c) Develop Quality Improvement processes so that they can be used to monitor the outcomes of impact assessments / Clinical Governance Manager / Monitored by Clinical Governance Standards framework and Quality Improvement Programmes / None at present / By June 2011 / None
(d) Improve quality of impact assessments produced by NHS Lothian using quality proofing process / Consultant in Public Health & Health Policy / Monitored using quality criteria agreed by Board’s Equality & Diversity Steering Group / To be determined during 2010 / By June 2010 / None
4. The right to be knowledgeable, to understand and reason, and to have the skills to participate in society
For example, being able to:

• attain the highest possible standard of knowledge, understanding and reasoning
• be creative
• develop the skills for participation in productive and valued activities, including parenting
• access education, training and lifelong learning that meets individual needs, such as manual handling training for family members and carers
• access information and technology necessary to participate in society, including assistive technology and communications support to assist in independent living

Human Rights references: Article 9 – Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion
Article 2 of the First Protocol – Right to Education
Outcome / Actions to achieve this / Department or person responsible / How progress is to be measured / Baseline / Timescale / Link to involvement
4.1 Disabled people are better able to participate in public life / (a) Promote mainstream involvement activities to disabled people via Involving People Strategy, to broaden participation in Patient Public Forums and related networks / Nurse Director
Director of Public Health & Health Policy
Director of Strategic Planning / Monitoring of participants in involvement activities / To be determined during 2009-10 / June 2010 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009
(b) Train staff who organise involvement activities to make sure that these are accessible to disabled people – see training framework 3.1(a) / Head of Patient Focus Public Involvement
Training Department
Director of Strategic Planning / Monitor uptake of disability awareness training courses / No baseline for staff carrying out involvement work / June 2011 / Edinburgh Equalities Network seminar 16 June 2009
Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009
Learning disability workshop 22 July 2009
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(c) Promote volunteering opportunities to disabled people / Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / Diversity monitoring of NHS Lothian volunteers / Current level of disability among volunteers: 18% (March 2009) / June 2012 / None
(d) Develop capacity of involvement programmes to monitor disability among participants more consistently / Strategic Programme Managers / Diversity monitoring of participants in involvement activities / No current baseline / June 2011 / None
(e) Implement plans to meet Participation Standard / Associate Nurse Director, Strategic Development / To be determined when Standard developed in 2010-11 / To be determined when Standard developed in 2010-11 / June 2012 / None
4.2 NHS Lothian works with carers to ensure they have the appropriate support to continue in their caring role / (a) Training provision to carers for manual handling and other relevant subjects is revised - Carer’s Information Strategy / Strategic Programme Manager – Older People’s Services / Monitoring of training provision and take up by carers and family members / Awaiting data on baseline / June 2011 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
5. The right to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, with independence and security
For example, being able to:

• enjoy an adequate and secure standard of living including nutrition, clothing, housing, warmth,
• have personal mobility, and access to transport and public places
• live with independence, dignity and self-respect and having the support to allow this to happen
• have choice and control over where and how you live

Human Rights reference: Article 5 – the Right to Liberty & Security
Outcome / Actions to achieve this / Department or person responsible / How progress is to be measured / Baseline / Timescale / Link to involvement
5.1 It is easier for disabled people to access and use transport to and from health services / (a) Revise the Car Parking Strategy to make improved provision of parking spaces for disabled car users – see action 3.3(d) / Facilities Department / See action 3.3(d) / See action 3.3(d) / See action 3.3(d) / See action 3.3(d)
(b) Joint work with Scottish Ambulance Service and other patient transport partners to improve services for disabled people / Equality leads / To be developed / No current baseline / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
5.2 Wheelchairs are more available and more appropriate for those who need them to access NHS services / (a) Revise wheelchair provision across NHS Lothian sites, for visitors to premises / Facilities Department / Number and range of wheelchairs on each site / To be determined / June 2011 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009.
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(b) Implement national and local modernisation plan 2008-11 for provision of wheelchairs to individuals, including use of needs assessment / Smart Centre / Range of indicators, to be determined / To be determined / June 2011 / Disability Equality Steering Group 10 July 2009.
Involvement event 5 August 2009
(c) Revise signposting across NHS Lothian sites / Facilities Department / Access audit reports
Feedback from disabled people / No current baseline / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
5.3 NHS Lothian supports disabled people who wish to direct their own care / (a) Implement NHS Lothian pilot delivering health care services via a self directed care model from 2009 – 2012. / Project Manager – Self Directed Care
Strategic Programme Manager -Disabilities / Steering Group – supported by Scottish Government will directly monitor impact and outcomes. / Being established in partnership with Lothian Local Authorities / June 2012 / Involvement event 5 August 2009
5.4 Disabled children moving into adult services are supported through their transition with dignity and respect / (a) Improve transition of disabled children to adult services / University Hospital Division Equality & Diversity Implemen-tation Group / Measures to be determined during 2009-10 / No current baseline / June 2012 / Consultation response November 2009
6. The right to engage in productive and valued activities
For example, being able to:

• undertake paid work
• care for others including parenting to an expected standard
• have rest, leisure and respite, including holidays
• choose a balance between paid work, care and leisure on an equal basis with others
• work in just and favourable conditions, including health and safety, fair treatment during pregnancy and maternity, and fair remuneration
• not be forced to work in a particular occupation or without pay
• not be prevented from working in a particular occupation without good reason

Human Rights reference: Article 4 – Prohibition on Slavery and Forced Labour