Publishing information guidance 

The requirements of the Equality Act 2010 mean that public bodies, including NHS organisations, will need to publish information by 31 January 2012 to show that they are complying with the need to eliminate harassment, advance equal opportunities and foster good relations between different groups.

All NHS organisations will also need to set specific equality objectives by 6 April 2012 in order to comply with the public sector duties of the Act.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued general guidance in relation to the Act, but we are still waiting for information to describe what is expected from public bodies. In the interim, NHS organisations can refer to:

• Guidance on meeting the specific duty to publish equality objectives to help deliver the public sector Equality Duty. This guidance aims to assist NHS organisations in preparing their equality objectives ahead of the 6 April 2012 deadline. The guidance has been produced in partnership with the Department of Health and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 
• Guidance on meeting the specific duty: publishing information to demonstrate compliance. (Jan 2012) This guide illustrates the types of information that organisations might consider publishing. This advice will be included in a guide that is currently being developed by the Department of Health, NHS Employers and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.  
• Implementing the Equality Act 2010 (Dec 2011)-  NHS Employers has produced this guidance to help NHS organisations meet the requirements of the Act. The document signposts the best advice and answers the three most popular questions that we have been asked.

1. What does my organisation need to do in order to meet the requirements of the public sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010?
2. What does my organisation need to do by 31 January 2012?
3. What does my organisation need to do by 6 April 2012?

Please note: This interim guidance is not intended to be definitive legal guidance and should not be taken as such but we do hope that you will find it useful. If you have any feedback please email our equality and diversity team: EqualityandDiversity@nhsemployers.org The NHS Employers organisation continues to work closely with the Equalities Office in the Home Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission and we will issue further tools and support materials to the NHS over the next few months.