Example Weight Loss Clinic is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our service. This statement sets out our approach to meeting our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, and reflects the CQC's "Well-led" domain requirement for services to demonstrate a commitment to equality and human rights.
Our Commitment
We believe that every patient deserves to receive high-quality, compassionate care that is free from discrimination, prejudice, and bias. We are committed to treating all patients, staff, and visitors with dignity and respect, and to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
We actively work to identify and eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation in our service. We promote equality of opportunity and recognise that some patients may require additional support or reasonable adjustments to access our services equitably.
Protected Characteristics
Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic. We are committed to ensuring that our service does not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against any person on the basis of any of the following protected characteristics:
| Protected Characteristic | Our Approach |
|---|---|
| Age | We treat patients of all eligible ages equally. Our service is available to adults aged 18 and over who meet the clinical eligibility criteria. |
| Disability | We make reasonable adjustments to ensure our services are accessible to patients with disabilities, including offering alternative communication formats and flexible consultation arrangements. |
| Gender reassignment | We treat all patients with dignity and respect, regardless of gender identity or gender reassignment history. |
| Marriage and civil partnership | We do not discriminate on the basis of marital or civil partnership status. |
| Pregnancy and maternity | We recognise that GLP-1 medications are contraindicated in pregnancy. Patients who are pregnant or planning pregnancy are advised accordingly and offered appropriate clinical guidance. |
| Race | We are committed to providing equitable care to patients of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. We recognise that health inequalities exist and strive to address them in our clinical practice. |
| Religion or belief | We respect patients' religious and cultural beliefs and will accommodate reasonable requests where clinically appropriate. |
| Sex | We provide services to patients of all sexes and ensure our clinical assessments are conducted without bias. |
| Sexual orientation | We treat all patients with equal dignity and respect, regardless of sexual orientation. |
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that may prevent patients with disabilities or other needs from accessing our services. If you require any adjustments — such as alternative communication formats, additional time during consultations, or support with using our online portal — please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Health Inequalities
We recognise that obesity and weight-related health conditions disproportionately affect certain communities, including those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and some ethnic minority groups. We are committed to providing equitable access to our services and to ensuring that our clinical assessments and communications are free from cultural bias.
Staff Equality and Diversity
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all staff are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate in recruitment, training, or career development on the basis of any protected characteristic. We take all reports of discrimination, harassment, or bullying seriously and have clear procedures for addressing such concerns.
Monitoring and Review
We monitor the equality and diversity of our patient population and staff to identify and address any disparities in access, experience, or outcomes. This statement is reviewed annually by the Registered Manager and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or our service.
Feedback and Concerns
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly or discriminated against in relation to any protected characteristic, we encourage you to raise your concern with us. You can do this through our complaints process (see the Feedback section of our Patient Portal) or by contacting us directly at [email protected].
You also have the right to contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) or the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) if you believe your rights under the Equality Act 2010 have been breached:
Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
Website: equalityadvisoryservice.com
Telephone: 0808 800 0082