NHS Providers response to publication of the 'Inclusive Britain' strategy
17 March 2022
Commenting on the publication of the 'Inclusive Britain' strategy, which sets out the government's response to the commission on race and ethnic disparities report, the chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said:
"We know NHS staff from ethnic minority backgrounds continue to experience racism at work, and patients from ethnic minority backgrounds have worse experiences of healthcare.
"This is unacceptable.
"As the largest employer of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the country and as the provider of universal healthcare, free at the point of need, the NHS has a responsibility to confront the structural racism and discrimination that still exists within the UK.
"It is vital, given what is at stake, that the recommendations laid out today by the government in its long-awaited response lead to real and tangible change.
"Given the experiences of ethnic minority staff in the NHS, it is right that the Care Quality Commission will assess the experiences, progression, and disciplinary actions experienced by these staff as part of their inspection process. It is also right that the government will commission a new Ethnicity Pay Gap research project to consider the scale and causes behind this injustice and what can be done to tackle it.
"Similarly, it is essential that more is done to address the gap in health outcomes and health disparities. The new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the upcoming white paper will have an important role to play but it is essential that tangible, joined up action is taken to tackle health inequalities across all parts of government.
"Trust leaders have also welcomed the focus on improving maternity outcomes for ethnic minority women through the Maternity Disparities Taskforce, which will play a key role in helping us to understand the drivers behind disparities.
"Equally, the review into potential ethnic bias in the design and use of medical devices and technologies is welcome, given the impact this could have not only on a patient's diagnosis and treatment but in worsening existing inequalities in care too.
"Trust leaders are committed to driving the necessary change. And we know there is more that we, NHS Providers, can also do. That's why we will be launching a new programme for trust leaders to help challenge mindsets and encourage personal accountability. This will include sharing evidence-based case studies on high-impact interventions, and peer learning sessions."