Latest news with #EqualitiesAct2010
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Health board failed when it shut special homeless GP service
The Independent National Whistleblower Officer upheld a number of complaints over the closure of the specialist GP service. The practice at Hunter Street closed in March 2023 after a review of services and a move to a 'single inter-disciplinary team'. READ NEXT:Migrants are NOT given houses ahead of local people says council deputy leader At the point of closure, the practice had 167 registered patients and dealt with a larger number of patients on a temporary basis, with annual patient contacts at approximately 600. The complaints, by a whistleblower, claimed the Health and Social Care Partnership 'failed to follow a meaningful process of engagement and consultation with staff'. It was also claimed there was no 'meaningful stakeholder consultation prior to the decision to reduce specialist GP service provision for people experiencing homelessness'. Both were upheld by the Whistleblower Office. The HSCP also failed to carry out a full risk assessment and equalities impact before it took the decision to reduce the service. And it failed to' take action to address the long-term risks associated with closing the service. The INWO issued a number of recommendations to the HSCP to put in place. The HSCP must ensure the principles in their Participation and Engagement Strategy are being met in practice. READ NEXT: MP tells how he served children food at homeless shelter in Glasgow It is also told to be aware of their responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010 and the need to complete timely equalities impact assessments. At a meeting of the Integration Joint Board, which governs the HSCP today chief Officer Pat Togher said they accepted the recommendations A spokesperson for the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, said: 'We note the findings of this report and as a continuous learning and improving organisation will take time to consider the recommendations. "In terms of our current homelessness provision, we have in place well-established governance arrangements and continue to develop services for those impacted by homelessness despite increased demand and a challenging financial climate."
Scotsman
26-04-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Interim guidance on single-sex spaced given by Equality watchdog
Interim guidance has been published by the ECHR. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... New interim guidance has been given by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (ECHR) on how to interpret the recent UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. The court ruled the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equalities Act 2010 refers to biological sex, with the judges adding the Scottish Government was 'incorrect' in its guidance which suggested that trans women could be classed as woman for certain legislation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now the ECHR has provided interim guidance for places like hospitals, shops and restaurants stating that trans people should use the facilities that match with their 'biological sex' even if they have a Gender Recognition Certificate. The guidance states: 'In workplaces and services that are open to the women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men's facilities, as this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities and must be open to all users of the opposite sex . 'However where facilities are available to both men and women, trans people should not be put in a position where there are no facilities for them to use.' Read more here: John Swinney breaks silence on Maggie Chapman's Supreme Court criticism Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For schools in particular, the guidance specifies: ' "Pupils who identify as trans girls (biological boys) should not be permitted to use the girls' toilet or changing facilities, and pupils who identify as trans boys (biological girls) should not be permitted to use the boys' toilet or changing facilities. Suitable alternative provisions may be required."
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chris Bryant part of controversial WhatsApp group of leading Labour figures after Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant was part of a controversial WhatsApp group of leading Labour politicians reacting to the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman under the Equalities Act, some of whose members were discussing action. Leaked WhatsApp messages show Sir Chris is one of a number of ministers who have criticised the reaction by bodies like the Equality and Human Rights Commission to the ruling by the Supreme Court, which this week said that the definition of a woman under the Equalities Act 2010 referred to biological gender. The court said this did not mean that transgender people did not have protection from discrimination. The messages, leaked to the Daily Mail show Labour frontbenchers discussing the aftermath of the ruling with some suggesting that they need to 'organise'. In the WhatsApp exchange revealed by the Daily Mail, when an MP called EHRC Chair Baroness Falkner's comments on Radio 4 as 'appalling', Chris Bryant was seen agreeing to the statement. READ MORE: Mark Williams steps in as referee forgets his job in awkward live TV match moment READ MORE: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Sunday, April 20) These leaked messages come days after the Labour led UK government responded to the Supreme Court's ruling by saying the 'ruling brings clarity and confidence.' The UK government's statement has previously expressed support for the Supreme Court's decision, and read: ' We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex. 'This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.' Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here However the leading frontbenchers, including Dame Angela Eagle, who is a Home Office Minister, argued in the group that public bodies had mis-interpreted the ruling. She said: 'The ruling is not as catastrophic as it seems but the EHRC guidance might be and there are already signs that some public bodies are overreacting.' She went on to write that 'we have to get on with doing the stuff we said we'd do in the manifesto.' Chris Murray, the MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, agreed with the minister's suggestion adding: 'Definitely agree, a meeting early next week would be good.' Another MP on the leaked WhatsApp group wrote it was 'sad to see some institutions choose to ignore the Supreme Court's very strong line that trans people are protected by the Equality Act too'. To this, Dame Angela urged people to organise, writing: 'They won't be feeling that way now and we need to remember that and organise.' At issue is the impact that the Supreme Court ruling will have on single-sex spaces and transgender women taking part in women-only sport. The EHRC Chairwoman Baroness Falkner had earlier told the BBC that the supreme court ruling was a 'victory for common sense" adding that: 'If a male is allowed to use a women-only service, it isn't any longer a single-sex space.' Labour MP for Exeter, Steve Race wrote on the leaked Whatsapp group: ' I think that the EHRC Chair on Today was pretty appalling this morning.' To this, the Welsh Labour MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, Chris Bryant replied: 'agreeed'. There have been huge protests across the country by trans rights activists, against the supreme court ruling. In London, thousands gathered for an 'emergency demonstration' at the parliament square to protest the supreme court's decision. Closer to home, in Wales hundreds of protesters gathered in Swansea's Castle Square yesterday to oppose the supreme court ruling.
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Equalities watchdog to consider enforcement powers after NHS Fife exchange
The UK equalities regulator says it is considering whether to use its enforcement powers following recent correspondence with NHS Fife. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had earlier sought to remind the health board of its 'obligations' under equalities legislation. It said assessments of new policies and practices which affect equalities legislation must be published. The intervention came amid a high-profile employment tribunal brought against NHS Fife by nurse Sandie Peggie – who was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at the hospital where they both worked. Chaired by Baroness Kishwer Falkner, the EHRC has powers to carry out investigations and apply for interdicts in the Scottish courts, if it believes organisations are not complying with equalities law. The Daily Telegraph reported an exchange of letters between the EHRC and NHS Fife. One of these was a March 27 letter from NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick. She said: 'We recognise the significant media attention and public discussion this issue has generated. 'However, as with any complex legal and organisational matter, not all facts or considerations may be fully reflected in external reporting.' She said the health board recognises its responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010, saying that the current legal process must conclude before any potential changes to practices can be considered. NHS Fife is 'committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for all staff and patients', the chief executive said. Ms Potter also said NHS Fife is also awaiting the publication of a national 'gender transitioning guide' from NHS Scotland which will inform policy. A spokesperson for the EHRC told the PA news agency: 'The policies and practices of all Scottish health boards must comply with the Equality Act 2010, as it relates to the provision of single-sex services and spaces. 'We wrote to NHS Fife to remind them of their obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, and request that they provide information relevant to the provision of changing facilities for their staff and the rights of different groups in the application of these policies. 'We are currently reviewing the response NHS Fife provided and will be writing to them again shortly. 'As Britain's equality regulator, we will consider any appropriate next steps, including the use of our enforcement powers.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Equalities watchdog to consider enforcement powers after NHS Fife exchange
The UK equalities regulator says it is considering whether to use its enforcement powers following recent correspondence with NHS Fife. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had earlier sought to remind the health board of its 'obligations' under equalities legislation. It said assessments of new policies and practices which affect equalities legislation must be published. The intervention came amid a high-profile employment tribunal brought against NHS Fife by nurse Sandie Peggie – who was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at the hospital where they both worked. Chaired by Baroness Kishwer Falkner, the EHRC has powers to carry out investigations and apply for interdicts in the Scottish courts, if it believes organisations are not complying with equalities law. The Daily Telegraph reported an exchange of letters between the EHRC and NHS Fife. One of these was a March 27 letter from NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick. She said: 'We recognise the significant media attention and public discussion this issue has generated. 'However, as with any complex legal and organisational matter, not all facts or considerations may be fully reflected in external reporting.' She said the health board recognises its responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010, saying that the current legal process must conclude before any potential changes to practices can be considered. NHS Fife is 'committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for all staff and patients', the chief executive said. Ms Potter also said NHS Fife is also awaiting the publication of a national 'gender transitioning guide' from NHS Scotland which will inform policy. A spokesperson for the EHRC told the PA news agency: 'The policies and practices of all Scottish health boards must comply with the Equality Act 2010, as it relates to the provision of single-sex services and spaces. 'We wrote to NHS Fife to remind them of their obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, and request that they provide information relevant to the provision of changing facilities for their staff and the rights of different groups in the application of these policies. 'We are currently reviewing the response NHS Fife provided and will be writing to them again shortly. 'As Britain's equality regulator, we will consider any appropriate next steps, including the use of our enforcement powers.'
