Review of Agenda for Change in NHS Scotland – Equality Impact Assessment

This EQIA has been prepared for the Review of Agenda for Change (AfC). As part of the 2023/24 pay deal, Scottish Government committed to a review of AfC. The review was conducted in collaboration with Scottish Government, Health Trade Unions (Staff Side) and NHSScotland Employers.


Gender reassignment

Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Data

NHSScotland Workforce data shows that 0.1% of employees declared their status as transgender as of March 2023. This data is based on self-reporting by staff, as such we are aware that there may be under reporting.

Figure 5: NHSScotland Workforce, percentage of staff by declared transgender status as at 31 March 2023
The data shows that 0.1% of employees declared their status as transgender as of March 2023, 10.3% declined to answer, 36% are not known and 53.6% answered no.

31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 31-Mar-21
Table 3: NHSScotland Workforce, percentage of staff by declared transgender status for the past 3 years
Not Known 36.0 38.2 41.7
Yes 0.1 0.1 0.1
No 53.6 50.2 47.2
Declined 10.3 11.5 11.0

Data Source: Publications | Turas Data Intelligence (nhs.scot) We have used workforce data collected from the Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS) for information on the numbers and breakdown of the workforce by protected characteristic.

Assessing the impacts and identifying opportunities to promote equality

Policy or Process Development Considerations

Policy Officials have assessed the data and as per the Heads of Agreement, have ensured that any policy or process changes would not incur any financial detriment to staff. If any proposed changes were to impact an individual, they would remain protected through the Equal Pay Act 1970 (legislation.gov.uk):

Review of Band 5 Job Profiles, Protected Learning Time, Pay and Reward & Reduced Working Week Impacts

In assessing whether the policy for all working groups impacts on people because of gender reassignment, it was determined that:

The process has a positive impact in eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Reasons for this decision include:

  • The policy has been written to meet legislative requirements, meeting statutory responsibility.

The process has a positive impact in advancing equality of opportunity.

Reasons for this decision include:

  • A person-centred approach is promoted in the application of all NHSScotland Workforce policies, this is demonstrated across the policy and supporting documents.

The process has a neutral impact in promoting good relations.

Reasons for this decision include:

  • The policy is open to all employees and Employers are encouraged to take a person-centred approach.

Contact

Email: hwfpaytermsandconditions@gov.scot

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