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Age equality in health and social care: a consultation on preparing the NHS and social care in England for the age requirements in the Equality Bill that affect the provision of services and exercise of public functions

  • Launch date:
    23 November 2009
  • Closing date:
    15 February 2010
  • Creator/s:
    Department of Health
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown
  • Publication format:
    A4 electronic only
  • Gateway number:
    12985

In April 2009, the then Secretary of State for Health asked Sir Ian Carruthers OBE, Chief Executive of NHS South West, and Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive of Bristol City Council, to undertake a review of age discrimination and age equality in the health and social care sector.The review was set up to help health and social care meet the ban on age discrimination and the new public sector equality duty in the Equality Bill.

The review published its report to the Secretary of State, Achieving age equality in health and social care, on 22 October 2009 and the consultation paper now invites views on the recommendations and conclusions made that are not directly tied to the legislation.

The consultation is concerned with action to be taken in England. However, the Equality Bill applies throughout Great Britain. The Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government are considering separately what action to take to prepare the NHS and social care in Scotland and Wales for implementation of the Equality Bill. There will also be further consultation on a draft Order in 2010.

To accompany this consultation a number of stakeholder engagement events will be held (see below for details).

Responding to the consultation

Before submitting your response to the Department, please make sure that it has been saved in a name [eg, AE consultation – response from xxx] that will make it easier for us to track.

  • Contact:
    Age consultation
  • Address:
    Room 602, Department of Health
    Richmond House
    79 Whitehall
    London SW1A 2NS
  • Email:

Consultation events

To further increase opportunities for consultation involvement, four events have been planned to enable the NHS and local authorities and other stakeholders to contribute to the consultation and comment on the work in producing a resource pack to support local implementation.  We would welcome interest from non-executive directors and members, professional and managerial staff, members of third and independent sector providers and representatives of the public and campaigning organisations. 

They will be held as follows:

Monday 18 January 2010 in Bristol
Friday 22 January 2010 in Birmingham 
Wednesday 3 February 2010 in London
Monday 8 February 2010 in Leeds

To reserve a place, please contact Judith Saville by Wednesday 6 January 2010 :

Additional links

DH Information Charter

This Charter is for anyone who has dealings with the Department of Health whether through correspondence, involvement in consultations or collaborative policy development or if for any other reason we hold personal information about you.

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