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Our Quality and Safety Standards

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the quality and safety of your care are our highest priorities. There are national and local standards, policies and procedures to ensure you have the best possible outcomes and experience.

We adhere to the NHS Constitution for our standards and waiting times. We are inspected and regulated by national organisations who ensure we provide services to expected levels and meet our commitments within the National Health Service. We also take very seriously the feedback we get from patients and visitors and respond to concerns when they arise.

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Equality Impact Assessment

Understanding Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIA)

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are committed to providing fair, inclusive, and accessible services for everyone. One of the ways we do this is by using Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIAs) to ensure our services, policies, and projects work for all individuals—especially those who may be more vulnerable to poor health outcomes or discrimination.

What is an EHIA?

An EHIA is a process we use to understand how different groups of people might be affected by the decisions we make. It helps us consider the impact of changes to our services and whether they could unintentionally disadvantage any group.

We look carefully at how our work may affect people with:

Protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

We also consider other groups at risk of health inequalities, such as:

  • Carers
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Those from lower income backgrounds
  • Individuals from marginalised communities

Why do we use EHIAs?

By carrying out EHIAs, we aim to:

  • Design better services that meet the diverse needs of our communities
  • Identify and reduce any negative impacts early on
  • Support fair and inclusive decision-making
  • Meet our legal responsibilities under equality and human rights legislation

When are EHIAs used?

We carry out an EHIA whenever we plan, change, or review a policy, service, or project. This helps make sure that equality and inclusion are considered right from the start.

Our commitment to equity

We believe everyone should feel welcome, respected, and able to access the care they need. The EHIA process is just one of the ways we show our commitment to tackling health inequalities and promoting fairness in everything we do.

To find out more about how the NHS supports equality and inclusion, visit: NHS England – Equality and Health Inequalities