Upholding rights and equality in health and social care
Health and social care systems are struggling to meet demands, which the pandemic has added to significantly. These challenges can result in unequal access to treatment and breaches of people’s human rights and ability to live independently.
Our work
System for challenging social care decisions ‘failing those who need it’
In 2023, we published the findings of and recommendations from our inquiry into the experiences of social care users and carers who have challenged decisions made by local authorities.
Inequality in treatment of ethnic minority ‘Covid heroes’ working in health and social care
In 2022, we published the findings of our inquiry examining the experiences of workers from a range of ethnic minorities employed in lower-paid roles in the health and adult social care sectors across England, Scotland and Wales.
Highlighting barriers faced by those challenging social care decisions in Scotland
In 2023, we published new research which showed some adults receiving social care in Scotland are unsure of how to challenge decisions about their care.
Allegations about mistreatment of people in Edenfield Centre Mental Health Unit
We responded to allegations shown by BBC Panorama on 28 September about the treatment of people in Edenfield Centre Mental Health Unit, in Prestwich
Department of Health and Social Care’s Building Better Support plan
We responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Building Better Support plan to address the number of patients inappropriately detained in secure hospitals.
Equality and human rights in social care
We set out how to make sure equality and human rights are built into the heart of social care, guiding decision-making in the sector, as well as reforms.
Business plan
2023/24
This business plan describes what we will do under the upholding rights and equality in health and social care priority from April 2023 to March 2024.
Promote rights regarding the treatment of people in health and social care institutions
Our long-term goal:
Ensuring that people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions can access the support they need in a way that does not discriminate against them or breach their rights.
How we will do it:
We will evidence the issues by:
- responding to the UK and Scotland COVID-19 inquiries where requested
We will influence standard setting by:
- challenging the inappropriate use of detention in institutions
- advise about the development of the Mental Health Reform Bill through advice to the UK Government and influencing Scottish Government proposals in response to recommendations from the Scottish Mental Health Law Review
- developing proposals to respond to human rights issues in private care settings in England and Wales
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- developing a memorandum of understanding with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to facilitate the sharing of intelligence and referral of strategic cases
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to promote rights regarding the treatment of people in health and social care institutions
Promote the rights of people using adult social care services to support independent living
Our long-term goal:
Improving individuals’ ability to access the social care they need in a way that does not discriminate against them or breach their rights by advising those developing health and social care systems.
How we will do it:
We will influence standard setting by:
- advising the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments about the equality and human rights implications of the design of social care systems
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- advising about the improvement of Integration Joint Boards in Scotland, and by working with the Care Inspectorate to embed equality issues in their inspection frameworks, including through the use of the PSED
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to promote the rights of people using adult social care services to support independent living
Tackle inequalities in access to health services
Our long-term goal:
Identifying, and reducing, barriers for people with certain protected characteristics receiving the healthcare they need in ways that do not breach their rights or discriminate against them.
How we will do it:
We will evidence the issues by designing and planning work to:
- tackle barriers in access to healthcare for LGBT people with a focus on addressing data gaps
- understand the issues and identify opportunities to improve access to healthcare for disabled people
We will influence standard setting by:
- working with the NHS and health regulators to identify potential interventions to address the disproportionate number of deaths of people with certain protected characteristics in maternity services
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- providing training and advice to strengthen the use of the PSED in integrated health and social care systems across England.
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to tackle inequalities in access to health and services, and challenge breaches of rights in health and social care institutions, in both acute and community settings
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