healthscotland.com

Tackling health inequalities and improving health is a common goal for all NHS Boards in Scotland. Health Scotland has a particular role in leading and supporting progress in improving Scotland’s health.

Following discussions with the Scottish Executive Health Department about embedding and mainstreaming equality and diversity into the health service, our Board agreed in principle to the establishment of a new Equalities and Planning Directorate.

The Directorate aims to develop NHS Health Scotland as a centre of expertise with a clear imperative to support Health Boards in Scotland, including other Directorates in NHS Health Scotland, in their work to reduce health inequalities, promote equality and achieve better outcomes for patients.

Further background to the proposal and key questions developed is outlined in the consultation paper for the consultation event on 19 April 2007.

Consultation process

As part of the consultation process to establish the Equalities and Planning Directorate, we consulted with the Scottish Government, Fair for All teams and NHS Boards.

At our event in April 2007, delegates were provided with information on the Fair for All agenda and strands and the national context to NHS Scotland’s approach to equality and diversity and inequalities in health.

Delegate papers are also available, as well as a full report from the event and a summary of the issues raised and accompanying response from Health Scotland.

Following this event, our Chief Executive met with most NHS Boards in Scotland to discuss how the Directorate could support Boards and work with them. A summary of the issues is available in our January newsletter.

More information

To see how Health Scotland is committed to equality and diversity in its internal work, please visit Equality, Diversity and Patient Focus.

Last reviewed 6 October 2009