Here is a summary of what we have learnt so far, through our work:
Some people with a protected characteristic may be more disadvantaged or face more difficulties when trying to access health care services.
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from being treated worse than other people because of:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion and belief (including no religious belief)
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
In our policies and the way we work, we must:
• Cut discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share relevant protected characteristics and persons who do not.
• Foster good relations between persons who share relevant protected characteristics and persons who do not.
We also aim to:
• Remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and are connected to that characteristic.
• Meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it.
• Encourage persons who share a protected characteristic to take part in public life or in any other activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low; and
• Consider how we will tackle prejudice and understanding. The building of a new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital on any of the three potential sites in the south of the Hywel Dda University Health Board area may cause persons with a protected characteristics to experience positive, and/or, negative impacts, unintended consequences, or gaps in healthcare provision. We will explore further, during this consultation, the potential differences posed by each of the three site options for our new Urgent and Planned Care Hospital. We will also show how negative impacts could be avoided or reduced.