Healthcare Science in Scotland: Defining Our Strategic Approach: Equality Impact Assessment Record

Stage 1: Framing

Informing development and content

Previous HCS strategies^{[1] [2]} have been developed and whilst they have had successes there is scope to further develop how healthcare science is utilised more effectively in a modern NHS Scotland.

The impact of the scientific workforce was distinctly clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare science specialisms adapted and led the delivery of essential services to support Scotland’s response. For example, Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists were critical in increasing the capacity for COVID-19 testing; clinical engineers were crucial in the roll out of critical care equipment, ensuring it was fit for purpose; and public health scientists pivotal in the understanding of the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined, more than ever before, the undeniable need for scientific skill and knowledge to be utilised more effectively in the planning and delivery of health services. Therefore, it is essential to set out a clear and robust vision for healthcare science in Scotland – which makes clear the importance of the profession, and it’s role within a modern, future facing and science backed

The strategic approach to develop a continual improvement programme for the healthcare science profession is crucial to ensuring that the workforce is recognised for its contribution to patient care and how it can support the improvement of services across the NHS.

In the development of this initial anchor paper, a strategic reference group was established to provide strategic input on content and direction for the strategy; and to support communication and engagement around the development to raise the profile in the delivery space and at executive level within the health boards. This group has a wide membership with executive representation from numerous health boards; professional groups; staff partnership; workforce; and the wider healthcare science community from across the UK.

Further engagement has been convened in the development of a survey which has gathered the thoughts and opinions from key stakeholders on specific areas of the paper: Vision; ambitions and themes.

This engagement helped to shape consideration of what the impact of this work might be on patients and the workforce.

Extent/Level of EQIA required

An EQIA has been developed to begin to map out the impacts of changes and improvements to healthcare science in Scotland would have. It is important to note that the paper which this EQIA relates to does not contain a set of actions or recommendations to be undertaken. The paper sets the parameters for future work, and as such additional EQIAs will be produced, specific to future pieces of work, as that progresses.

It was important to begin to map out where work would have an impact, to show, in the widest sense, that consideration has been given early to how healthcare science can impact people in Scotland.

The themes identified within the strategic approach paper (the paper to which this EQIA relates) will allow further exploration and baseline analysis to be undertaken within each theme. This will include wider stakeholder engagement prior to further EQIAs being developed as described above.