Impact Assessment of financial decisions
The recent downturn in the economic climate will have a significant impact on many public authorities. Financial constraints have already resulted in the NHS making important decisions about their operations and services. These decisions include efficiency cuts, re-organisations, relocations, redundancies and service reductions.
As a result, some choices may have a disproportionate effect on different groups of people, and may be contrary to the statutory equality obligations to which NHS Boards are subject. Considering the economic climate, it is more important than ever that boards meet their statutory equality duties when making decisions, particularly those regarding finance or service provision.
Not only are health boards under a legal obligation to meet the equality duties, the duties constitute a tool for better decision-making, ensuring that decisions are taken in an accountable manner and do not adversely effect different groups, for example, ethnic communities, disabled people, older and younger men and women, and victims of gender based violence. A commitment to ensuring the principles of equality and diversity underpin any financial investments and decisions will enhance service provision in meeting the diverse needs of the communities we provide services for.
The guidance and resources section contains reports and papers relevant to equality impact assessing financial decisions.
Equality Impact Assessment of Financial Decisions Workshop 28th November 2011
NHS Health Scotland hosted an Equality Impact Assessment of Financial Decisions workshop for NHS staff with a responsibility for making key financial decisions. The delegates included directors and heads of services, senior managers along with staff responsible for developing and supporting equality impact assessment across 14 boards. The workshop followed up on an initial Seminar held in June for CEO’s, Chairs and Non Executive Directors.
Delegate List
Programme
Workshop Report
Presentations
- Equality and Human Rights Commission - Chris Oswald
- (Case Law examples mentioned by Chris Oswald)
- NHS Lothian - James Glover and Dawn Carmichael
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde - Sue Laughlin
- NHS Health Scotland - Cath Denholm
'Putting it into practice' Scenarios
Equality Impact Assessment of Financial Decisions Seminar 7th June 2011
EQIA of Financial Decisions Seminar Full Report
Seminar Evaluation Feedback – Full
Presentations
- Professor Ailsa McKay - Glasgow Caledonian University
- Muriel Robison – Equality Consultant
- Sue Laughlin and Catriona Renfrew – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian Supporting Documents
Additional EQIA of Financial Decisions resources referred to in both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's and NHS Lothian’s presentations are listed below. For further information, contact Sue Laughlin, Head of Inequalities and Corporate Planning or James Glover at NHS Lothian.
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Rapid Impact Assessment Final
- Final EQIA (Service) Tool
- NHS GGC Savings Template Outline - October 2011
- NHS GGC Cost Savings PID Equality Checklist
- NHS GGC Planning Guidance
- NHS Lothian's Efficiency Plan RIA Approach 2010-11
Further EQIA of Financial Decisions information
EQIA of Financial Decisions Briefing
EQIA of Financial Decisions Seminar – reading list
EQIA of Financial Decisions Seminar – case studies
EQIA of Financial Decisions Seminar – Press reporting
View Resources for fairer financial decision making
Updated 8 May 2012