The NHS has been sponsored and supported by the Equality and Diversity Council (EDC) to develop the Equality Delivery System (EDS) for the NHS. The EDS has been designed by the NHS for the NHS, to support the delivery of a service that is personal, fair and diverse.
NHS Bournemouth and Poole and NHS Dorset are working together as a cluster to deliver the equality delivery system, and are also closely working with local healthcare providers to ensure a consistent approach throughout Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.
The EDS is about real people making real improvements, that can be sustained over time. It focuses on the things that matter the most for patients, communities and staff. It emphasises genuine engagement, transparency and the effective use of evidence. The EDS is not about occasional consultation; it is not a paper-chase; it is not self-assessment.
The EDS applies to both current and planned NHS commissioning organisations, including GP Clinical Commissioning Groups, and to NHS providers including Foundation Trusts. By using the EDS, these organisations will be able to meet the requirements of the Equality Act. Providers will be better placed to meet the registration requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
