Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, tells us why everyone deserves to be treated without discrimination...

WE know that not everyone in our community accesses healthcare services in the same way, particularly those people who feel vulnerable. It is also important to recognise that in accessing those services some people experience discrimination and unfair treatment. This might be because of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender re-assignment, racial group, religion/ belief or sexual orientation.

However it is the duty of the NHS to deliver high quality care for all and that can only be achieved by tackling such inequalities and ensuring equality runs throughout local healthcare.

Everyone deserves to be treated with fairness, equality, respect and dignity

It is with this in mind that Bolton CCG has set up the Equality Target Action Group (ETAG).

The ETAG is a forum that brings community and patient representatives together to share information and discuss issues relevant to local health. It also supports NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in consulting with different community groups and advises the CCG on equality and diversity issues relevant to those groups.

By working closely with local communities we can better understand your needs, and how to tailor health and social care services that meet those needs. We will do this in a way that promotes equality and eliminates discrimination and unfair treatment.

The ETAG is always looking for representation from a wide cross section of the Bolton family from a range of participants representing specific areas around: age, carers, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation

The group meets bi-monthly at the Bolton Hub with each meeting typically lasting about two hours and brings together the people that commission your healthcare.

The group is supported and administered by Bolton Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) and I would encourage anyone to come along, share your experiences so that we can take reasonable steps to improve services and make positive changes.

The next meeting will be at the Bolton Hub, Bold Street on the November 13 and please call the CVS on 01024-546010 if you would like to come along.