CQC announces new human rights and equality partnership

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced on the 5th March 2015 that the British Institute of Human Rights will deliver equality and human rights training to all CQC staff from April 2015.

A partnership between CQC and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has led to the development of a staff learning programme.

The learning will focus on the fundamentals of equality and human rights and how staff can improve how they look at equality and human rights issues in their work.

It will include learning on the biases and beliefs that we all have and how these affect our thoughts, behaviours and how we relate with others; particularly those who are different from us, as well how people can develop strategies to tackle these unconscious biases and beliefs.

It will also be tailored for particular staff groups such as inspectors, policy and analytical staff and volunteers who want to become “Equality and human rights champions” in order to embed equality and human rights in the work of their teams.

Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission David Behan, said: “Everyone has the basic right to be treated fairly, and with respect and dignity. We want to promote equality, diversity and human rights in everything we do and tackle inequality where we find it – both in how we regulate and as part of our own culture.

 “We know from our work there is variation in the quality of care and that not everyone gets the care they need. This imbalance must be addressed and working with our partners the Equality and Human Rights Commission and British Institute of Human Rights will help us to achieve this.

“All of our inspections take into account human rights and equality and we must continue to embed a human rights and equalities approach across all our work.”

Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Mark Hammond, said:
“Equality and Human rights are for everyone, and provide an important safety net for people in the most vulnerable situations.

“This training will help health and care professionals fulfil their human rights responsibilities with confidence, help ensure the needs of patients and service users are put first, and their human rights to dignity, choice, privacy and differing needs are fully respected.”