Widening Equity

We celebrate diversity and pledge to improve the quality of life of people in Suffolk and north east Essex. We are committed to better understanding the stories of people in our area and to improve access to positive outcomes for all.

This principle determines how we act as commissioners, service providers, strategic partners and we recognise that our employees, volunteers and other partners are also members of the communities within which we work. We seek to invest in greater mutual collaboration and coproduction.

We aspire to go beyond our legal obligations set out in the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty and Health & Care Act 2022 in order to raise health equity, drawing on the assets in our communities and protecting those with characteristics that have historically led to inequality or disadvantage.

To do this, we take the following actions.

• We distinguish between the words “equality” and “equity” as we understand equity is something we can strive to increase.

• We put people and personalisation at the centre of all we do.

• We strive to make our digital estate as accessible as possible. Read our website accessibility statement for more information. Our buildings and spaces are accessible and we advise others in our communities about the health and wellbeing impacts of changes or developments in our built environment.

• Our workforce is drawn from diverse people in our area and we nurture cultures and practices that contribute to individual success and socioeconomic prosperity of the area.

• We regularly review our methods of understanding the life outcomes experienced by people in Suffolk and north east Essex so that we can influence change where it is needed. We do this by intelligent collection and analysis of data and narratives about every day experiences.

• We prioritise work that will increase equity of access to preventative and supportive health and care services that increase self-care in a context of improved quality of life.

• We understand our legal duties to protect and support people with characteristics described in law and from groups identified in the Core 20+5 and Index of Multiple Deprivation work.

• We design our structures and decision making, including how we spend resources on the priority needs of people from groups experiencing inequity. We help people providing healthcare to learn about diversity and inclusion.

• As part of our the Suffolk and North East Essex ICS, we celebrate our communities. For example, the ICS’ Equalities Film Competition.

• We find new ways of doing things. Visit our news pages to keep up to date with our latest successes and innovations.

• We are transparent about assessing the impact of our work before we start new things.

• We work differently with different groups and areas, so that local needs are met. Visit Let’s Talk SNEE, our dedicated platform for patient and public engagement and involvement.

If you have any questions about our work, please do get in touch.