Essential Level
About the Essential Level
These are the skills everyone who works in NHS Scotland should have.
- Domains 1 to 3 apply to all staff who work in either clinical and non clinical roles.
- Domain 4 applies mostly to clinical staff and their immediate colleagues
Domain 1 - About People
¹ We are seeking Central Legal Office advice about wording a skill about challenging discrimination and that may reference the Public Sector Equality Duty.
² We are seeking advice from the Central Legal Office about the wording of this selector and an appropriate skill
Domain 1 - About People
What staff know (knowledge)/What staff are able to do (skills)
1.1 Gender identity can be expressed and described in different ways.
Gender identity describes a person’s deeply held sense of their own gender, be it female, male, non-binary or something else. For most people it matches their sex recorded at birth. For trans people their gender identity does not match their sex recorded at birth and this is known as gender incongruence.
Treat and compassionately respond to everyone with respect and dignity. Reflect on their values and beliefs and how this may influence their behaviour, actions and words. See footnote
1.2 Being trans may affect trans people differently across their lifetime, and they may take different approaches to transition.
Avoid assumptions about services someone might require based on their appearance or gender expression.
1.3 Trans people may avoid seeking care because of experienced stigma and / or fears about possible prejudice and discrimination. Some trans people may experience poorer health outcomes because of inequality, access and socio-economic status.
Recognise and respond to situations where someone’s rights associated with their protected characteristics may be affected or they are at risk of poorer health outcomes.
1.4 Trans people have legal protection against discrimination and disclosure of their trans identity.
¹ We are seeking Central Legal Office advice about wording a skill about challenging discrimination and that may reference the Public Sector Equality Duty.
² We are seeking advice from the Central Legal Office about the wording of this selector and an appropriate skill
Domain 2 - Communicating
What staff know (knowledge)/What staff are able to do (skills)
2.1 How to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
Identify environmental factors to promote inclusion and person-centred care.
2.2 Appreciate that unnecessary questions about aspects of transition, especially surgery, can be very intrusive.
Only ask questions that are directly relevant to someone’s care. Explain the rationale before asking personal questions about transition or where it may appear unconnected to providing someone’s care.
2.3 Appreciate gendered language and the risks of this causing distress or discomfort.
Use gender-neutral language where appropriate. Have confidence in rectifying situations where mistakes are made with names, gender or pronouns.
2.4 Recognise the importance of using correct names and pronouns.
Know how to use a range of common pronouns including gender-neutral pronouns. Confidently ask someone which name and pronouns they go by.
2.5 Understand, and use where appropriate, the process for updating health records
Signpost someone to their GP Practice to update their name and pronouns in their health records.
2.6 Someone’s voice might not match assumptions about their gender identity.
Avoid making assumptions about someone’s gender identity based on the sound of their voice as this can be inaccurate and may be upsetting for them.