Inequalities in health: raising awareness among health authority staff

A postal survey of all staff working for Bro Taf Health Authority (n = 237) was carried out during August and September 1998. The survey was concerned with tackling inequalities in health in terms of involvement, information needs, priorities and working patterns. The aim was to raise awareness of the Health Authority's commitment to tackling inequalities in health and to collect employees' opinions on methods of working effectively towards greater equity. The response rate was higher for senior grades (63%) than for basic grades (26%). Not all employees had access to background documents and many expressed a need for more information. There was a strong feeling that a change in working patterns would be beneficial and staff were particularly concerned that internal communications should be improved. The survey provided a good opportunity to raise awareness of health inequality issues and was beneficial in providing an opportunity for staff to express their opinions anonymously. Some suggestions have already been implemented and others are incorporated in the Health Authority's Equity Strategy.