What is Equality?
Equity and Inclusion - Home (sharepoint.com). This may have limited access.
Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, everyone has the right to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. At The Health Board we want all our employees to feel valued and respected. We also want all patients and members of the public who come into contact with the UHB to be confident that they will be treated respectfully, with dignity, and without discrimination or prejudice.
Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, faith or belief / non-belief, sex or sexual orientation are all aspects of a person that make up their identity and are what is termed under the Equality Act 2010 as 'protected characteristics. There might also be other social factors such as family, financial circumstances, and lifestyle that determine how a person sees themselves, or is seen by others.
The UHB has a duty to take action against employees, patients, or the public who act against the laws on equality. Any discriminatory behavior by staff will be treated as a disciplinary offense and subject to sanctions under the Disciplinary Policy. Members of the public or patients could be refused access to services or premises if they deliberately and knowingly disregard equality laws and policies.
As part of the equality agenda, we encourage staff members to use their Welsh language skills as part of their work when dealing with patients and service users. We also encourage staff to actively use Welsh in their daily work environment with other colleagues and with patients and the public. We promote a range of learning opportunities for those wishing to develop their Welsh language skills. The organisation is also mainstreaming the Welsh language into its recruitment practices across all areas.
Moving forward, we will center our work where improvement is most needed to tackle inequalities within and between communities. This may include concentrating on the particular needs of people who are disadvantaged or discriminated against because of who they are, their protected characteristics, e.g. age, disability, trans or gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, maternity or pregnancy, race, religion, or belief and sexual orientation.
We are determined in our aims to:
- Remove unlawful discrimination.
- Improve equality of opportunity.
- Encourage good relations.
Further Information
- Read a summary of the Equality Act 2010 and find out more about our legal duties under the Act.
- See our Equality Policies, Plans and Annual Equality Reports
