Equality & Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIA)

We are committed to advancing equality and reducing health inequalities in our workforce and the local population we serve. We do this by checking whether our services or policies might potentially impact differently on some population groups based on:

  • Where they live. For example, coastal communities.

  • Their socio-economic status. For example, being unemployed.

  • If they face difficulties in accessing health services. For example, due to being homeless.

  • Whether they share one or more of the characteristics protected by law under the Equality Act. For example, having a disability and being pregnant.

We do this in several ways including through a process of Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment which is integral to service planning, redesign, and delivery.

It is one of the ways in which we check whether we are meeting both our legal duties, and our own ambitions to make sure that everyone in Dorset has fair access, experience, and equitable health outcomes from our services.

We have refreshed our approach to Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) to ensure it is:

  • In line with the latest guidance from the equality and health regulators and best practice.

  • Fit for purpose and able to develop system capacity to respond to the scale and pace of change required.

  • Improves outcomes for people using health services across Dorset.

The refreshed approach has helped us to:

  • Establish a EHIA methodology to inform service improvements both at an organisational and system level.

  • Made the process easier for staff to undertake EHIAs and for the public to understand better the service improvement work we have undertaken.

  • Ensure we take account of equality and health inequalities considerations at all stages of service development and delivery.

  • Enhance EHIA training and support offer for staff and system colleagues.

  • Improve further our understanding of, and ability to, identify and address gaps in datasets.

  • Meet our statutory duty requirements and our ambition to be recognised as an ‘exemplar’ in the south west region and beyond.

View examples of EIAs/EHIAs:

Please send any queries or requests for further information and how you can get involved with Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIAs), to: phm@nhsdorset.nhs.uk

If you need information in an alternative format, such as easy read, large print, Braille, audio or an alternative language, please let us know by contacting the communications and engagement team via feedback@nhsdorset.nhs.uk or call 01305 368900.