Equality Impact Assessment - Older People Strategy

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The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

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BROWSE

Function being assessed:

Draft Joint Older People’s Strategy 2008 to 2013, which is supported by other Strategic plans and in particular the Promoting Independence and Wellbeing 2008-2011 and The Carers Strategy 2008 to 2013.

Is this a new function or a review of an existing function?

Replacing previous Older People’s Strategy

What are the aims/purpose of the function?

The aim of the strategy is to identify the key outcomes for health and social care services for older people and their carers. Priorities have been identified through an extensive needs analysis of the population of the borough and consultation with stakeholders.

The specific aims of the strategy are as follows

To meet the diverse and changing needs of older people and their carers in Kingston and facilitate equal access to services
To provide a range of support and services to maintain older people in their homes, where possible, and enable any move to residential and nursing home to be a positive experience
To ensure that older people have timely access to emergency services and the response ensures that their needs are met in the most appropriate setting
To ensure that services prevent ill health and promote well being, improve quality of life and reduce or delay the need for high support services
To enable older people to play an active part in the community
To allow older people the opportunity to choose the service that meets their needs most effectively
To provide a single point of access to an integrated care service

What information has been gathered on this function? (Indicate the type of information gathered e.g. statistics, consultation, other monitoring information)? Attach a summary or refer to where the evidence can be found.

Specific needs and priorities were identified in the Strategy, through the needs analysis (population data, prevalence of illness and disability, inequalities) and consultation with specific groups. The needs analysis mentioned can be found on pages 6 to 15 of the strategy.

As part of developing the strategy a series of consultation exercises were undertaken. A joint event was organised between Royal Borough of Kingston and Kingston Primary Care Trust called “Your View Your Kingston”. The purpose of the event was to find out the views of older people and their carers and what is important to them. The event was attended by 59 people who all took part in discussion groups on topics of their choice. At the event some older people who attended who had a learning disability and or physical disability. Representatives also attended from black and ethnic minority community groups.

Separate to the event, a programme of outreach was organised to capture the views of more vulnerable groups of older people and in particular, those who had communication barriers. The outreach programme reached older people from refugee and asylum seeking communities, Tamil, Indian, Korean and Chinese communities. It also sought the views of sensory impaired people.

Over the past 24 months Community representatives from black and minority ethnic communities have also been consulted on their views regarding the barriers communities face when attempting to access health and social care services and to live independently and in optimum health. Information provided by these consultation exercises are also reflected in the overarching themes in the Strategy.

We currently do not collect data on sexual orientation for our service users. We will be looking at forthcoming guidance to collect this information in a meaningful and sensitive way from our service users. Service developments have been addressed in the Strategy.

Does your analysis of the information show different outcomes for different groups (higher or lower uptake/failure to access/receive a poorer or inferior service)? If yes, indicate which groups and which aspects of the policy or function contribute to inequality?

The Strategy analysed the outcomes for different groups and incorporated into the action plan section outcomes to address inequalities. This Strategy has taken into account through the data currently begin collected as well as through consultations any variations in service delivery and service provision. This will ensure that the services are delivered to meet the needs of individuals in a fair and equitable way. There is a specific section in the action plan / outcome 5 pages 39 to 45 which specifically focuses on freedom from discrimination and harassment. Two examples of actions within the strategy are as follows

A range of initiatives have been identified. Consultation with black and ethnic minority communities identified that a barrier to accessing services particularly for older people who may have a disability was the lack of access to English as a second language classes. English classes now commissioned.
Within mental health services it was recognised that black and minority ethnic groups were not accessing dementia care and mental health services as much as the indigenous white population. Therefore a programme of work has been in place to address lack of information in communities about services available and to reduce stigma associated with mental ill health.

Are these differences justified (e.g. are there legislative or other constraints)? If they are, explain in what way.

Differences identified in needs analysis have been incorporated into the action plan.

There will be differences due to there personal nature of services delivered to an individual to meet their specific needs. The eligibility criteria will also ensure through assessment process the individual who will be entitled to service provision. The Independence and Wellbeing strategy is in place to provide an overarching support to individuals in low and moderate need.

What action needs to be taken as a result of this Equality and Health Impact Assessment to address any detrimental impacts or meet previously unidentified need? Include here any reasonable adjustments for access by disabled people. Include dates by which action will be taken. Attach an action plan if necessary.

Action plan in strategy incorporates actions to address need. This information has come from different sources through consultations, analysis of current local and national data and guidance, from service managers and other professionals.

Currently we collect data on age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion or beliefs. We will act on forthcoming guidance on collecting sexual orientation data and it will be sensitive process. The Strategy has identified on pg 40 the reporting process through monthly reports.

Communication of information to service users in an appropriate format is important to ensure take up of relevant services.

The action plan in this strategy will ensure that the services are delivered in a fair and equitable way to the benefit of service users and works towards eliminating discrimination in all forms.

When will you evaluate the impact of action taken? Give review dates.

A review of achievements against the objectives and outcomes identified in the strategy action plan will be reported on a quarterly basis to the Older People’s Partnership Board and a progress report will be submitted annually, which will include a revised action plan.

Assessment completed by:

Jane Bearman

Older People and Health Services

28 March 2008

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