§ Lord Ouseleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What benefits have arisen from the Vital Connection launched by the National Health Service in 2000; whether any of the initiatives have been monitored for effectiveness; and whether there is any intention to publish the results. [HL1908]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Vital Connection laid the foundations for mainstreaming equality, diversity and inclusiveness in every part of the 159WA National Health Service. This objective was reinforced by the NHS Plan, published in July 2000, which introduced the Improving Working Lives Standard. The standard makes it clear that every member of staff is entitled to work in an organisation which can prove it is improving diversity and tackling discrimination and harassment.
All NHS employing organisations are required to demonstrate progress against the equality targets set in Vital Connection as part of the Improving Working Lives assessment and accreditation process. Most NHS employing organisations are required to be accredited as putting the Improving Working Lives Standard into practice by April 2003.
The Positively Diverse Programme, introduced in 2001, further supports NHS organisations to implement equality and diversity and the targets in Vital Connection. Some 147 NHS organisations are now using the Positively Diverse Programme.
The Human Resources Directorate is currently examining its equalities and diversity programmes, including the Improving Working Lives Standard and the Positively Diverse Programme as part of the department's continued efforts to strengthen the delivery of equality and diversity within the NHS.