Green Park Healthcare Trust’s Equality Scheme sets out how we intend to meet our duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998). The aim of the Equality Scheme is to improve services for all who come into contact with the Trust and to mainstream equality and good relations into the policy-making process. Both the Chief Executive and Chairman of Green Park Healthcare Trust are fully committed to the aims of the Equality Scheme.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act placed 2 new statutory duties on public authorities:

1. Green Park Healthcare Trust must have due regard to the promotion of equality of opportunity between 9 categories of people:

• Age

• Gender

• Marital status

• Political opinion

• Religious belief

• Racial group

• Sexual orientation

• Persons with a disability and persons without

• Persons with dependants and persons without

2. Green Park Healthcare Trust must also have regard to the promotion of good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion and racial group.

Green Park Healthcare Trust makes a number of commitments in its Equality Scheme. These cover:

• Screening and Equality Impact Assessment

• Consultation

• Training

• Monitoring

• Complaints

The Equality Steering Group manages the Equality Scheme, chaired by the Chief Executive. The Equality Manager oversees the day-to-day operation of the Scheme. Progress on implementation of the Scheme is reported to the Trust Board at least quarterly.

Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act was incorporated in UK law in 2000. Responsibilities under the act include:

• Ensuring all the policies and procedures adhere to Human Rights law

• Carrying out regular reviews of the policies and procedures

• Carrying out regular risk assessments on the policies and procedures

• Ensuring policies and procedures are assessed on an individual case basis

New Targeting Social Need (New TSN)

New TSN was established to tackle social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and available resources within departments towards people, groups and areas in greatest need.

• Tackling unemployment and employability.

• Addressing inequalities in other key policy areas such as health, education and housing.

• Promoting social inclusion.

Green Park Healthcare Trust developed its New TSN Action Plan in April 2002. The plan is reviewed annually.

Trust Equality Publications

Contact details

For further details on any of the above please contact:

Equality Manager

McKinney House

Musgrave Park Hospital

Stockman's Lane

Belfast

BT9 7JB

Tel: 028 9090 2000 ext 2651

Fax: 028 9059 1505

E-mail: equality@greenpark.n-i.nhs.uk