Board of Directors Meeting - 29 March 2012 - Devon Partnership ...

the Trust Board and all staffBoard of Directors Meeting, 29 March 2012Agenda Item 98. What is the plan for improvement and resource implications?8.1 The Trust needs to invest in an Equality and Diversity and Human Rights agendaintensely over the next 18 months to 3 years and beyond. The implementation of EDSrequires a timetable of work especially in terms of the evidence gathering. It isrecommended that the Trust Board partakes in the NHS Leadership Councils ‘Connectthe Board’ programme (see appendix 5).8.1.1 An E and D and EDS Implementation group led by the Director of Workforce andOrganisational Development will have an initial steer to represent the full sign up to theEDS from the Trust Board and Executive Team. This will also ensure the commitmentto the implementation of the Equality and Diversity Leadership CompetencyFramework. It will report to the Trust Board quarterly and monthly to the ExecutiveTeam.8.2 A Human Rights Advisor/Co-ordinator is in the process of being appointed to asubstantive post. It is important to realise that there is need for more support aroundthis agenda especially at the beginning as both internal and external stakeholders needconsulting. The post holder will liaise with the clinical directorates specifying theoutcomes required which will be reflected in their quality improvement plans. He or shewill also support the development of directorate action planning and design measuresfor success criteria. The specification can then be fed into an agreed qualityimprovement planning process. These will in the future be used by the EDS in relationto CQC and NHS Constitution. This will enable the Trust to have an accurate gradingacross the protected characteristics and the broader equality agenda.8.3 The agenda is a paper audit exercise as well as a practical and culture changingexercise in line with the Trust’s vision of being able to take care of the mental healthneeds of the population it serves. All levels within the Trust need a commitment toEquality and Diversity and a small equalities team could support the theoretical andpractical implementation of “No Health Without Mental Health” in partnership withexternal and internal stakeholders.8.3.1 Workforce members and foundation members need to be consulted and virtual as wellas real action groups, and community networks need to be established to deliver thework across the Trust.8.4 The Trust needs to invest properly in its link for developing a recovery oriented Trustand work with the commissioners to develop partnership working with specialistorganisations in order to deliver a service that is equitable and diverse at all levelswithin the organisation.8.5 The Trust is now focussing on the broader agenda of Equality and Diversity and HumanRights. It is part of a South West EDS cluster working closely with other equalitycolleagues in other Trusts at this time of rapid change. It is really important as theTrust moves forward to it foundation status that Equality and Diversity sits within theheart and mind of the new organisation based on recovery principles. EDS helpsorganisations to be responsive to the people they serve.“Health and Healthcare are a Human Right for all People”9 Recommendations 2012-2015 are as follows9.1 A request to the Trust Board for the consideration and appointment an Non-Executivelead responsible for supporting the E and D agenda alongside the executive leads.Page 68 of 156