Health and social care - equipment and adaptations provision guidance: equality impact assessment

Recommendations and Conclusion

Specific actions and changes

Recommendations are made within the guidance to improve future data sharing and collection. We acknowledge this did not assist with the development of this guidance; however, it will support implementation and future data-gathering exercises.

Feedback during the EQIA highlighted the importance of fairness and consistency in access. As a result, the Core Values of the guidance were updated to confirm that equipment and adaptations must be available on a non-discriminating, tenure neutral and human rights basis.

The guidance was also strengthened to include a Housing Solutions Approach, working in partnership with people to empower them with information and options to promote effective forward planning.

Accessibility concerns were noted for some protected groups, particularly disabled people, people with communication support needs and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Mitigations include making the guidance available in Easy Read formats, BSL video summaries, and translation into different languages where required.

Addressing impacts and promoting equality

In conclusion, the evidence collected over the course of the EQIA process has shown that the Equipment and Adaptations: Guidance on Provision is likely to have an overall positive impact across the range of protected characteristics. The key actions throughout the guidance promote a consistent approach to the assessment for, and provision of, equipment and adaptations, which supports prevention, early intervention, and self-management. This will ultimately work towards a more proactive rather than reactive response to care, ensuring that individuals are at the centre of decision-making and can more easily access the equipment or adaptations they need for improved health outcomes.

Positive impacts were identified across all protected characteristics, with some neutral impacts in prison settings due to health and safety restrictions and cultural barriers to seeking support. No unlawful discrimination was identified.

Equality monitoring mechanisms and review

Relevant stakeholders were engaged with during the development of the guidance, and engagement will continue throughout implementation. The EQIA process will remain ongoing, and all relevant data and evidence will be analysed and reviewed against equality impacts, with documents updated as new evidence emerges.

Monitoring tools will be developed to capture equalities impacts during implementation. The EQIA will be reviewed periodically, with re-publication taking place when significant new issues or evidence are identified.