For the latest information on Equality and Diversity including the Public Sector Equality Duty – click here

Our Single Equality Scheme sets out our general approach and the specific action we are undertaking to deliver diversity and equality across the organisation and the area in which we operate.  Diversity and equality, for us, includes everyone, and takes account of age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation and religion.

This is a flexible and live Scheme.  We will add to and amend it in the light of experience and lessons learnt.  Key to this are the views of the people we serve and work with, including all our patients, staff, service users and members of local communities.  Consultation and participation is an essential part of the process, and we are asking for your feedback and views on the Scheme.

Please see the explanatory forward for more details including how to give us your views.  The consultation runs until the end of February 2010.

Single Equality Scheme document.

Diversity and Equality Review.

Equality Impact Assessments are an integral part of equality legislation that requires public authorities to assess how what they do, or plan to do, may impact on particular equality groups.  Equality Impact Assessments: Taking them forward at NHS North East Essex.

These documents can be provided on request in Braille, on audio cassette tape or disk, in large print and in languages other than English.  If you require one of these versions, please contact:

Communications and Patient & Public Engagement Team
NHS North East Essex 
Colchester Primary Care Centre
Turner Road
Colchester
Essex 
CO4 5JR

Telephone:  01206 286830/31/33

Email communications@northeastessex.nhs.uk

Facts about immigration into the UK, and information for migrants, gypsies and travellers are available from the Communities and Local Government website.

Ethnic breakdown of NHS North East Essex staff 

     30  Asian or Asian Black
     27  Black or Black British
     11  Mixed
     23  Not stated
     22  Other ethnic groups
  1365  White

  1478  Total

Translation and Interpretation Service

NHS North East Essex subscribes to services which offers patients the following when attending for NHS appointments:

• face-to-face interpreting including sign language
• document translation including Braille and audio tape
• telephone interpreting

If you need help with any of these, contact your GP surgery or clinic. A list of the languages which we can assist with are listed in the following document  Language Assistance Poster.  See also our PALS service