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NHS Borders is committed to providing healthcare in a way that treats everyone equally and is working to eliminate discrimination against patients and the people who we work with in line with the duties set out in The Equality Act (2010).

Equality

Equality is about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential. Equality is backed by legislation designed to address unfair discrimination and resulting inequalities based on membership of a particular group for example, Race, Gender Reassignment or Disability.

Diversity

Diversity is about recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways. It is about creating a culture and practices that recognise, respect, value and harness difference for the benefits of patients, carers, members of the public and members of staff. Diversity is not an ‘initiative’ or a ‘project’, it is an ongoing core aim and a core process.

Aim

NHS Borders delivers healthcare services that are equitable for everyone regardless of age, disability, race, ethnicity or national origin, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, domestic circumstances, social or employment status. NHS Borders values the contribution of all staff in the delivery of health services to the local communities and is committed to ensuring that they are treated with the dignity, respect and consideration they deserve.

As well as helping us to comply with the law, equality and diversity is essential to the core business of NHS Borders and the rest of the National Health Service (NHS). There is a synergy between equality legislation and NHS policy to increase responsiveness to service users, reduce health inequalities and improve working lives of employees.

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