“INSTITUTIONAL racism is rife in society and the NHS is not immune”, as per the outgoing president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP), Dr Adrian James.
Dr. James will warn that racism is an embarrassment to the NHS and that the health system has a moral, ethical, and legal need to do more to eradicate it during the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPSYCH) International Congress 2023 that commenced today (10) at Liverpool.
He will add issues related to racism include pay gaps, disparities in disciplinary processes, and a “glass ceiling” for doctors from minority ethnic backgrounds who want to progress into management positions.
More than half (58 per cent) of doctors from minority ethnic origins reported experiencing racism at work in a recent RCP college poll.
Four in ten (41 per cent) of those who responded stated it influenced patients or carers and more than a quarter (29 per cent) said it had an impact on their health.
Dr James will add: “Our Tackling Racism in the Workplace guidance will help every mental health employer in the UK to ‘Act Against Racism’ at a strategic and systemic level.
“It provides clear, measurable actions for employers and implementation guidance. It shows employers how to recognise and respond to instances of discrimination on racial and ethnic grounds and signposts them to sources of support within and outside their own organisation.”
Improved anti-racism measures, according to the NHS Race and Health Observatory, which was established in 2021 to study racial inequities in health and social care, might increase the NHS workforce.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPSYCH) is hosting the International Congress at the ACC Liverpool, which will last until Thursday (13).
Patients, academics, opinion leaders, and families from the social and political sectors come together for the International Congress.
Also, according to the doctor’s union, senior NHS management bullying is still prevalent in Scotland.
Five years after a group of professionals in the Highlands made the issue public, they assert that such behaviour is still having an influence on patients’ welfare.
The problem was brought up, at the British Medical Association’s UK conference in Liverpool that was held between 3-5 July 2023 at the ACC Liverpool.
A public investigation into long-standing issues at the Inverness Raigmore Hospital led to pricey compensation payments of up to £2.8 million and required action to clean the air.
Although the composition of the NHS Highland board has changed, the union insists that problems continue, and not only in the Highlands.
Although the lineup of the NHS Highland board has changed, the union insists that problems continue, and not only in the Highlands.
Inverness GP, Dr Iain Kennedy, one of the early whistleblowers, now heads the BMA in Scotland.
Addressing his first UK conference as leader, he said: “In 2021-22, across Scotland’s 14 territorial health boards, a total of 96 whistleblowing concerns were officially raised but I fear that we still aren’t doing anywhere near enough to support Scotland’s doctors to speak up.”
In a union poll conducted last month, almost 600 members were questioned if they felt comfortable voicing concerns about patient safety or workplace misconduct.
Only 52 per cent of respondents stated they were at ease doing so, while 24 per cent were uncomfortable and 24 per cent were unsure.
The Scottish Government is adamant that procedures are in place to safeguard employees and patients.
To know more: https://www.easterneye.biz/exclusive-racism-costing-nhs-billions/
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