These are the sections of this year's report. Click on the title to read the section:

 Message from the Chairman
2002/03 At a Glance!
Contacts During the
Year
Having Our Say
Equality and Human Rights
Research
Local Health and Social Care Groups
Finance
Members' Attendance
Comments?
Photo Gallery

To obtain any of our publications in an alternative format or language, please contact the office

This is the latest Annual Review of the Council's activities, and covers the period April 2002 to March 2003. We hope you find it informative.


You can contact us by writing to:

Northern Health and Social Services Council
8 Broadway Avenue
Ballymena
BT43 7AA

Phone: 028 2565 5777
Minicom: 028 2565 5777
Fax: 028 2565 5112
Freephone: 0800 917 0222

Click here to e-mail us at info@nhssc.n-i.nhs.uk

 

Equality and Human Rights

Steady progress has been made over the last year in implementing the statutory equality duties included in section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The NHSSB and the NHSSC work together on many issues relating to the Equality agenda, here’s a flavour of what’s been happening:

As a partner in the Northern Area Equality Best Practice Forum staff work closely with the Northern Health and Social Services Board and the three local Trusts
At a regional level we are represented on the Equality Steering Group. This is a useful forum to share good practice and to co-ordinate activity at a regional level. This group is overseeing the implementation of the Regional Equality Work Programme including Equality Impact Assessments and Good Practice Reviews
We have developed a network of contacts with other partners in the voluntary and community sector. We have strengthened links with ethnic minorities in the area and have formalised this contact by establishing a Northern Ethnic Minority Steering Group. Members are primarily from the Chinese community but we are trying to expand this to include other minority ethnic groups
We have been taking forward a Good Practice Review on Promoting Positive Staff Attitudes to Diversity. Reviewing the problems and identifying areas for improvement helped us draw together a number of recommendations which will be shared with interested groups and individuals before implementation
We are committed to the ongoing training of staff. Trainers from the British Deaf Association delivered training on deaf awareness and how to respond appropriately to that community
We hold our monthly Council meeting in a different District/Borough Council area and invite along representatives of local community groups to address members on the health and social well-being needs of their community
We have been working with the Antrim Chinese Community Association to develop an English Language CD ROM which is designed to assist those in the Chinese community who need some basic language skills to cope with everyday situations, including accessing a GP