Minutes of the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Steering Group
15th December 2017: from 10 - 12
Seminar Room 1, PGEC, Frimley Park Hospital
NB: Those present at this meeting should be aware that their names will be listed in the
notes of the meeting which may be released to members of the public on request.
Name
Dept
Attended/Apology
Deputy Director of Organisational Attended
Eleanor Shingleton-Smith ESS Development
Jennifer Sistig
JS
Chaplain (Frimley)
Attended
Agi Zarzycka
AZ
Information Department Rep
Attended
Del Harvey
DH
Information Department Rep
Attended
Bruce Montgomery
BM
FTSU Guardian
Attended
Najeeb Rehman
NR
E&D Manager
Attended
Deborah Rogers
DR
Equalities Officer
Attended
Philip Byne
PB
HR Business Partner
Attended
Item
Action
1.
M inutes from 27th September 2017 agreed as being accurate record.
ESS asked if there were any comments from the last minutes.
Relating to physical access, NR talked about recent isolated access issues
at Wexham Park, ramps/lack of dropped curbs in suitable places.
ESS suggested more thought is required when preparing for refurbishments
and the disruption that it causes.
JS advised that the Chapel at Wexham now has automatic doors making it
easier for people in wheelchairs and also people with physical impairments
to enter the Chapel.
2.
E quality Objectives update
Corporate
NR provided summarised progress against the equality objectives with the
key points being:
3,035 staff at Frimley Park and 2,008 staff at Heatherwood and
Wexham Park have completed Equality and Diversity training; overall
compliance is 57%
Equality Impact Analyses have been completed on the following
policies: Flexible Working, Capability Policy, Medical Illustration
Policy, Safeguarding, Car Parking Concessions
NR mentioned that E&D training is no longer part of the Corporate Induction.
Needs to be completed by employees 3 yearly and is down to the individuals
to ensure compliance. NR suggested a trigger is required, DR mentioned
this should be raised by managers as part of the yearly appraisal round.
NR also mentioned that a new microsite is going to be launched shortly
JS to send
where all of the Mandatory and Statutory subjects will be located. The
Religion & Belief
microsite can hold a number of documents, web links and other signposting
document to NR
to raise awareness of particular subject areas. JS requested that a Religion
for adding to the
& Belief document is added to the microsite under Equality and Diversity.
microsite
Service Equality
Ongoing activity being led by Chaplaincy on developing a Religious
and Belief Guide
BM talked about the end of life conference held in October, details can be
found on the intranet. Another conference is likely to be held in 2018.
BM has requested but been unable to get a slot on the corporate induction.
Also looking into getting a page on the intranet. Guidance is available for
duty managers.
Interpreting and Translation
Fulfilment of British Sign Language (BSL) bookings is running at 89%
Deaf patients are mostly attending Outpatients, Eye Clinic and Maternity.
Video BSL interpreting is something the Trust would like to move forward
with and it is on the IT Department worklist. However there is no confirmed
date as to when Video BSL could be introduced.
Face to face language is running around 93% fulfilment rate.
Telephone interpreting needs to be increased
DR has contacted Capita to advise the Trust is often not being notified when
an interpreter is not available.
At Frimley Park the most common languages booked are still Nepali
while at Heatherwood and Wexham Park the most common
languages are Polish, Romanian, Urdu and Punjabi
Nepalese bank interpreters have been recruited and are going
through the pre employment checks with a view to starting in January
Accessible Information Standard
Large font letters in place in HWPH and FP
Safeguarding adults referral form now on ICE system to make it
easier for ED staff to access
Contact made with GP committees to raise awareness of importance
of notifying the Trust of patient’s communication needs on the referral
Autism Engagement
NR & DR attended an autism engagement event in Slough. The event was
also attended by other public sector organisations who presented on their
roles and what they offer. DR has made contact with the Autism Trust in
Camberley, Polly’s Place and a meeting will be scheduled for January 2018.
Nepali Community
Nepali Cancer Buddies service now in place to support Nepali
patients undergoing cancer treatment
AZ asked who is admitting on the wards, some enter more details than
AZ/DH to advise
others, is this down to training and time constraints. Often just the first few
Data Quality
fields of the drop down list are entered. On occasion patients have been on a Group on
ward for a week and their details have still not been recorded. DH suggested methods to
it should be mandatory. ESS advised that we need to be mindful of what we
ensure accuracy
should capture. DH talked about some people not wanting to provide
of data
information such as religion, as it is a sensitive subject and people do not
see the relevance of declaring their religion or belief.
Employment Equality
Diversity at Senior Levels
Latest figures from the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) database
positively show that since April 2017, proportion of Black & Minority
(BME) staff in Bands 7 – 8c has increased by 1% in each of these
Bandings
The proportion of BME staff at Band 8d has increased from 0% - 14%
which is a significant increase
Gender diversity in Bands 7 – 9 shows variations
The largest increase in female staff is 5% in Band 8c and a 67%
increase in Band 9
The largest drop in female staff is 8% in Band 8d
Disability
The Trust has progressed from Disability Confident (Committed) to Disability
Confident. The Trust has evidenced it has processes in place to support the
recruitment and retention of staff with disabilities
3.
Feedback from other groups / areas: (changes/improvements made;
proposals for improvements)
Chaplaincy
JS advised that refurbishment of the chapel toilet is now complete.
Raising Concerns
BM talked about it being early days in understanding the diversity of people
raising concerns. A questionnaire is sent after a complaint is closed asking
what was good, what could have been done better and would they raise a
concern again.
Disability Group Meetings
NR talked about recent disability group meetings which had taken place at
Heatherwood and Wexham Park and Frimley Park. Both Groups had met
again after a long while. There were a number of issues discussed namely:
Introduction of new parking concessions and charging for Blue Badge
Holders
Raising Awareness of the needs of patients with hearing loss
amongst staff
Developing a Work plan for the Groups at both sites
Inviting Staff onto both Groups
4.
Date of next meeting: