NHS 'Not to Blame' for Ethnic Inequality in Health
In a seminar to be hosted by the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) at University College London on Wednesday 4th November, Professor Nazroo argued that social and economic factors are responsible for the gap in health standards between black and white people, a conclusion resulting from his research over the past two decades' on the root causes of ethnic inequalities in health. He ruled out genetic differences; differing attitudes to health and health behaviours; institutional racism within the health service; and a lack of access to health services as major factors, but suggests the NHS could take more responsibility on improving the employment terms and conditions for BME staff, including those hired by subcontractors.
"There is a great deal of evidence to show ethnic minority people get a good deal from the NHS," he will say at the CEMVO seminar. "They get to see their GPs as often as white people and their treatment outcomes are just as good as for white people. I do not believe the NHS is either responsible for or contributes to ethnic health inequality. However, in employing over one million people, and many more through subcontractors, it is the largest employer in the country and has real potential to lead the field in relation to good, equitable, employment practices, and ensure subcontractors meet the same standards.
Best practice initiatives could cover employment rights, holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, job security and flexibility, limits to unpaid overtime, and management practices that promote autonomy and control at work. They could also include financial benefits, ensuring a more equitable distribution of salaries across employment grades. The immediate and longer-term impact of this on the drivers of health inequalities is likely to be significant. And particularly so for ethnic minority groups, who are over-represented in the NHS workforce."
6 November 2009
Created on: 06-Nov-09 10:53
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