NHS bosses 'making great strides' to tackle inequality

NHS Lothian is making great strides in equality across the organisation, health bosses have said.

As part of a project to eliminate racism, sexism and homophobia among the 29,000 employees of the health board, the woman behind the plan said progress was being made. The rights of patients also stands to benefit from the initiative.

Julie McDowell, chairwoman of the mutuality and equality governance committee, said: "With all these related strands of activity under way, it made sense to bring them together.

"It is a very exciting time to be leading this work, with new equality laws and the fast-developing patients and human rights agendas.

"The committee aims to build on the excellent work we have already done in these areas and ensure that health services in the Lothians continue to develop the ways in which they involve and meet the needs of the Lothian's diverse and changing population."

In recent years, a number of schemes have been introduced to help ethnic minority patients, many of whom have bleaker health outlooks than native Edinburgh residents.