Overview

"Equal values: equal outcomes" - published by NHS Employers in April 2005 - highlights several equality and diversity issues specific to doctors and dentists. It is an action plan focused on partnership working, constructive dialogue and finding effective solutions to the needs of both the medical and dental workforce and NHS organisations - principles to which NHS Employers is committed.

The result of work between NHS Employers and a wide range of key stakeholders within the medical and dental professions, it supports the overall equality and diversity agenda of NHS Employers: seeking to value and support all, including those from less 'visible' groups such as gay, lesbian and bisexual doctors and dentists, those with disabilities and those with religious beliefs.

The action plan identified seven key work areas where change has been more difficult and where a renewed focus and partnership working is needed:

• removing barriers to medical and dental education and continuing to increase access opportunities for all
• promoting best practice in equalities monitoring by deaneries, medical and dental schools, strategic health authorities and trusts
• promoting the principles of Improving Working Lives (IWL) throughout the whole medical and dental workforce, including independent contractors
• identifying how the NHS can best support international medical and dental graduates in finding employment in the UK and making progress in their careers
• ensuring continuing openness and transparency in clinical excellence awards and other recognition processes
• creating fair and expeditious systems for identifying and dealing with clinical negligence and other competence issues for medical and dental staff
• supporting a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment in the medical and dental workforce.