The Governing Body is responsible for approving arrangements for meeting the public sector equality duty.

The Chief Nurse is the Governing Body Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Delivery of our Equality Objectives and action plan is monitored by the Quality and Clinical Governance Committee (QCGC) which is Chaired by the Lay Member for Patient and Public Engagement.  reports.  The Governing Body is updated annually on progress and by exception as required through a key messaged report from the Chair of the Committee.

Our leadership approach will ensure that there is fairness in our commissioning decisions and that business is planned and conducted to meet the equality duty.

Our Equality and Diversity Plan intends to make a clear statement how the CCG will fulfil its duties by outlining:

• How equality and diversity issues influence our commissioning function
• The mechanisms in place to ensure that issues are embedded in daily business
• Making sure that the way the CCG operated and the services we commission for North Yorkshire meet the needs of the minority and the most disadvantaged.

This plan highlights the national and local drivers that will shape and influence the CCGs approach to promoting equality in our commissioning decisions and valuing the diversity of service users and employees.

The CCG is determined that this plan and the delivery of its supporting actions will make a significant difference to the communities it serves – both in terms of the experience of accessing and using health services as well as achieving better health outcomes. The CCG is also committed to ensuring that its staff are empowered, engaged and well-supported at times of significant organisational change.

The following are objectives set by the CCG.  Information about steps needed to achieve the objectives are included in the NHS North Yorkshire CCG Equality and Diversity Plan

• To ensure that all our communication activity is accessible, taking into account a wide range of communications needs, and seek assurance that our providers do the same.
• To ensure and provide evidence that equality is consciously considered in all commissioning activities.
• To embed equality and diversity principles in the work of the CCG through the support to all staff and Governing Body members.
• To continue to demonstrate strong leadership on equality so that it remains firmly on the agenda throughout any organisational change.

Quality and Equality Impact Analysis is a way of estimating the likely equality implications of either:

• The introduction of a new policy, project, or function; or,
• The implementation of an existing policy, project, or function within the organisation.

The CCG has developed and implemented a tool and guidance for use by staff to help identify the any potential impact and take action to remove discrimination.  Specific training has been provided to our CCG members and staff and the relevant Committees will consider the results of this analysis during the decision-making process.

QCGC considers the results of all Quality and Equality Impact Assessments to monitor any cumulative impact of decisions made by the CCG.