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Equality Scheme for the Eastern Health and Social Services Council

1 Introduction

On 1 January 2000 Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 placed a new legal obligation on the public sector (state-owned bodies). The new obligation is that by 30 June 2000 all government departments including all non-departmental public bodies, must send an equality scheme to the new Equality Commission for approval. This document sets out how we at the Eastern Health and Social Services Council propose to meet the new obligation.

2 Our role

a	We were established in 1991 as an independent consumer organisation. We have a duty to represent the public's views and interests, to review the work of health and social services (the services) and to recommend any improvements needed. We are one of four Health and Social Services Councils in Northern Ireland.
b	We have a legal right to: be consulted by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (the board) on any major development in or changes to the services; receive information from the board, about the planning and running of the services; and visit health and social service facilities in the public sector.
c	Our main activities are described below. To represent the public's views when decisions are being made about the services. To influence the board's activities which relate to introducing services. To respond to proposals or plans put forward by the board. To offer support and guidance to patients or members of the public who want to complain about any part of the services. To carry out research into how patients view the services and their experiences of them. To monitor the performance of particular services against the standards set out in their charters. To give the public a range of information about the services. To visit health and social service facilities run by the board or a health and social services trust.
d	We also have a role as an employer and procurer of goods and services.

3 Our structure

a	We have 30 members who are appointed by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). Twelve of our members are representatives from the six local authorities covering the Eastern Board's area. There are six representatives from Belfast City Council, two from Lisburn Borough Council and one from each of the other authorities (North Down, Ards, Castlereagh and South Down). The remaining 18 representatives come from voluntary organisations with an interest in the services in our area or are independent representatives with an interest in health and social care. Our membership 12 (40%) local authority representatives 9 (30%) voluntary sector representatives 9 (30%) independent representatives
b	Representatives, except those from local authorities, are appointed under the Nolan principles. Representatives are usually appointed for four years, but this can be extended to eight years.
c	We have seven full-time staff and our Chief Officer is the senior full-time official.
d	We are funded by the DHSSPS. The board manage the funding for us. For this tax year we have a total budget of £273,000 (about 40p for each of the 660,000 people living in the board's area). Any increase in our budget must be negotiated with the DHSSPS.
e	Our offices are in the centre of Belfast. The building has access for wheelchairs and car parking for persons with disabilities is available at the front and side of the building. We encourage people to contact us for advice, information or support on the services. We also have a library of information which organisations, groups or individuals interested in the services can ask for.

: Introduction : Role : Structure : Responsibility : Section 75 : Obligation : Duties : Performance : Policies : Timetable :
: Impact Assessments : Consultation : Monitoring : Training : Information : Publishing :

Eastern Health and Social Services Council, 1st Floor, Lesley House, 25-27 Wellington Place, Belfast, BT1 6GQ
Freephone: 0800 917 0222 Fax: (028) 9032 1750 Minicom: (028) 9032 1285
E-mail:ecouncil@ehssc.n-i.nhs.uk