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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/09/nhs-bme-staff-discrimination
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| The NHS relies on its BME staff – so why do they still face discrimination? | The NHS relies on its BME staff – so why do they still face discrimination? |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The NHS depends on black and minority ethnic staff to provide high quality, reliable and safe care to patients – and has done since its inception in 1948. They enrich the NHS with their skills, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives. | The NHS depends on black and minority ethnic staff to provide high quality, reliable and safe care to patients – and has done since its inception in 1948. They enrich the NHS with their skills, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives. |
| Discrimination against migrants in the NHS will make staffing problems worse | Amitava Banerjee | Discrimination against migrants in the NHS will make staffing problems worse | Amitava Banerjee |
| On the health service’s 70th birthday, it’s important to celebrate the contribution of BME staff – but also to recognise the racism and discrimination they continue to face. | On the health service’s 70th birthday, it’s important to celebrate the contribution of BME staff – but also to recognise the racism and discrimination they continue to face. |
| The creation of the NHS coincided with the beginning of a wave of immigration from the Commonwealth and colonies. The British Nationality Act of 1948 affirmed unrestricted movement within the Commonwealth. When, in 1962, Enoch Powell, then Conservative health minister, launched the Hospital Plan – which envisaged massive NHS expansion – skilled staff were in short supply. | The creation of the NHS coincided with the beginning of a wave of immigration from the Commonwealth and colonies. The British Nationality Act of 1948 affirmed unrestricted movement within the Commonwealth. When, in 1962, Enoch Powell, then Conservative health minister, launched the Hospital Plan – which envisaged massive NHS expansion – skilled staff were in short supply. |
| Between 1960 and 1963, Powell sent emissaries to Commonwealth countries to recruit medical staff. He may have famously spoken out against immigrants, but he was the one who brought in scores of doctors from the Indian subcontinent. Thousands emigrated from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, recruited by a health service afflicted by an acute shortage of medical staff. Many settled here permanently, despite intending to return home, because the value of their contribution was recognised. | Between 1960 and 1963, Powell sent emissaries to Commonwealth countries to recruit medical staff. He may have famously spoken out against immigrants, but he was the one who brought in scores of doctors from the Indian subcontinent. Thousands emigrated from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, recruited by a health service afflicted by an acute shortage of medical staff. Many settled here permanently, despite intending to return home, because the value of their contribution was recognised. |
| I would often compete for jobs with UK graduates who had less experience, but I would still lose out to them | I would often compete for jobs with UK graduates who had less experience, but I would still lose out to them |
| I came to the UK in 1978, having trained in India. I experienced discrimination after I arrived: I would often compete for jobs with UK graduates who had less experience, but I would still lose out to them. This situation lasted until 1988, when I started my own practice. | I came to the UK in 1978, having trained in India. I experienced discrimination after I arrived: I would often compete for jobs with UK graduates who had less experience, but I would still lose out to them. This situation lasted until 1988, when I started my own practice. |
| I am one of the lucky ones. I went on to have a successful and rewarding 30-year career as a GP and became chair of Tameside and Glossop primary care trust. I also played an active role in the British Medical Association and am its honorary vice president, chair of Healthwatch Tameside and chair of the equality and diversity shadow board for Greater Manchester. One of the proudest moments of my life was being awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to the NHS. | I am one of the lucky ones. I went on to have a successful and rewarding 30-year career as a GP and became chair of Tameside and Glossop primary care trust. I also played an active role in the British Medical Association and am its honorary vice president, chair of Healthwatch Tameside and chair of the equality and diversity shadow board for Greater Manchester. One of the proudest moments of my life was being awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to the NHS. |
| However, many BME communities’ experiences of the health service are quite different to mine, and to those of the white British population. | However, many BME communities’ experiences of the health service are quite different to mine, and to those of the white British population. |
| The NHS is the largest employer of BME staff in the UK: more than 200,000 health service staff (around a third of doctors and a fifth of nurses and midwives) are from BME backgrounds and a third of NHS doctors trained overseas. Even now, with Brexit looming and amid increasingly difficult working conditions, the Department of Health and Social Care is recruiting all grades and specialties of doctors and nurses from outside the EU. | The NHS is the largest employer of BME staff in the UK: more than 200,000 health service staff (around a third of doctors and a fifth of nurses and midwives) are from BME backgrounds and a third of NHS doctors trained overseas. Even now, with Brexit looming and amid increasingly difficult working conditions, the Department of Health and Social Care is recruiting all grades and specialties of doctors and nurses from outside the EU. |
| But how are BME staff in the NHS treated? | But how are BME staff in the NHS treated? |
| Black and other minority ethnic staff are less likely to be promoted, or made executive directors or board members. A 2014 study, The Snowy White Peaks of the NHS, examined BME progression in the health service in London and exposed the lack of representation of BME staff in the upper echelons of the NHS. This was reflected nationally across other NHS bodies. | Black and other minority ethnic staff are less likely to be promoted, or made executive directors or board members. A 2014 study, The Snowy White Peaks of the NHS, examined BME progression in the health service in London and exposed the lack of representation of BME staff in the upper echelons of the NHS. This was reflected nationally across other NHS bodies. |
| Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of NHS staff from BME backgrounds experience discrimination and bullying in the workplace than their white colleagues – and they are more likely than white colleagues to be disciplined over comparable issues. A survey of every NHS trust and primary care trust in England proves that BME workers are disproportionately involved in disciplinary procedures, grievances, bullying and harassment cases and capability reviews. | Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of NHS staff from BME backgrounds experience discrimination and bullying in the workplace than their white colleagues – and they are more likely than white colleagues to be disciplined over comparable issues. A survey of every NHS trust and primary care trust in England proves that BME workers are disproportionately involved in disciplinary procedures, grievances, bullying and harassment cases and capability reviews. |
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| As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we need to pledge that all arms of the service, and other medical bodies, take a hard look in the mirror and reflect on how transparency, fairness, and equality should frame its future. | As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we need to pledge that all arms of the service, and other medical bodies, take a hard look in the mirror and reflect on how transparency, fairness, and equality should frame its future. |
| Kailash Chand is honorary vice president of the British Medical Association and has worked as a GP since 1983 | Kailash Chand is honorary vice president of the British Medical Association and has worked as a GP since 1983 |
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