Equality and diversity links
Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. In 2007, the EHRC took over the responsibilities of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). The commission gives advice and enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act.
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
The Commission aims to advance equality, promote equality of opportunity, encourage good relations and challenge discrimination through promotion, advice and enforcement. The Commission is responsible for promoting awareness of and enforcing anti-discrimination law on the following grounds: age, disability, race, sex (including marital and civil partner status), sexual orientation, religious belief and political opinion.
The Government Equalities Office
The Government Equalities Office is responsible for the Government’s overall strategy and priorities on equality issues. Its work includes: leading the development of a more integrated approach on equality across Government to increase opportunities for all; taking forward the Minister for Women’s priorities; taking forward work on an Equality Bill following the Discrimination Law Review; responding to the Equalities Review; and sponsoring the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and the Women’s National Commission.
On 30 June 2008 the government published a 'Framework for a fairer future – the Equality Bill', which outlines the steps which will be taken to streamline and strengthen the equality legislation. It will outlaw age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and place a new equality duty on the public sector organisations to consider how their spending decisions, employment practices and service delivery affect people whatever their race, disability or gender, age and sexual orientation. A comprehensive paper on the content of the Equality Bill will be published later this summer, which will include the government's response to the 'Discrimination law review: a framework for fairness' consultation. The Bill is expected to be introduced in the next Parliamentary session, which starts in December 2008.
NHS Employers equality and diversity guidance
Guidance to help NHS Employers achieve excellence in equality and diversity practice, including latest news, overview and strategic framework, six strands of equality, human rights, projects and research, equality impact assessment and single equality schemes.
Valuing diversity: resource guides
A series of resource guides from the General Medical Council (GMC) to help doctors with regard to diversity and equal opportunities.
The organisations listed here are not exhaustive, should there be any which you believe have been omitted, and should be included please email info.equality@bma.org.uk with suggestions for consideration.