Paediatric continence e-learning resource: EQIA

Equality Impact Assessment - Results

Title of Policy

Paediatric Continence E-Learning Resource

Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy

To create an E-Learning Resource aimed at providing Health Professionals with the skills required to provide a pathway of care for children and young people with continence problems.

The resource will be hosted on the NHS Education Scotland (NES) TURAS Learn website alongside other learning materials and tools, by Autumn 2019.

Directorate: Division: team

Directorate for Children and Families: Improving Health and Wellbeing: Supporting Maternal and Child Wellbeing

Executive summary

Our engagement with a specialist Consultant Paediatrician highlighted evidence and a number of research papers which demonstrated the scale of continence issues in children and young people and the need to develop this policy.

Continence issues can affect children and young people within each of the protected characteristics. We will ensure that during the creation and design of the E-Learning Resource we will give due regard to the equality duty of eliminating discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations.

Background

It is estimated that 800 per 100,000 children and young people need continence care. Evidence shows that there is currently not sufficient or consistent pathways of care. Continence issues can result in physical suffering and emotional stress for the child or young person and their family.

The aim of the E-Learning Resource is to improve the outcomes for children and young people with continence problems to ensure that they are able to grow and develop and reach their full potential, in line with GIRFEC and SHANARRI principles.

The E-Learning Resource will contribute to the delivery of the following National Outcomes:

• We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential
• We are healthy and active

By providing Health Professionals with the skills required to provide a pathway of care for children and young people with continence issues recognises the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and aims to ensure children's rights to health. Priority number 3 states:

"Our children and young people will be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. We will improve the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of children and young people through early advice, support and education."

Policy Officials from Improving Health and Wellbeing Division were involved in the EQIA.

The Scope of the EQIA

Officials met with Dr Catriona Morrison, Consultant Paediatrician at Ninewells Hospital in December 2018. Dr Morrison provided information and papers outlining the extent of continence issues in children and young people and the proposals to improve their outcomes.

Key Findings

The E-Learning resource will potentially impact on all children and young people with continence problems.

There may be a more significant positive impact on children and young people with disability.

No negative outcomes were identified.

The E-Learning resource will also positively impact on children and young people's parents or care givers as continence issues can put emotional and financial pressure on the family.

Recommendations and Conclusion

No changes have been made to the policy as a result of the impact analysis as there is no evidence to suggest that there will be a negative impact on any individual with a protected characteristic. However, we will ensure that full account of equality issues will be taken throughout the development and delivery of the resource.