Black and minority ethnic groups are less likely to report positive experiences about health services than white British counterparts, a Department of Health report reveals.
BME groups were more negative about questions relating to ‘access and waiting’, and ‘better information and more choice’.
These findings from the National Patient Safety Survey, which include responses from people accessing the emergency department, primary care, community mental health and inpatient services, have changed little since the previous report in May 2008.
The biggest differences in response between BME groups and white British counterparts were in primary care.
Patients from Asian and Chinese groups were least likely to give positive responses. Results for black patients were mixed, although they were slightly less likely to give positive responses, particularly in primary care and A&E surveys.
Commenting on the report, Dr Raman Lakshman, BAPIO’s vice chair of policy, said it was difficult to fully know the reasons for the disparity but suggested it could relate to problems with expectation and communication.
“Some BME patients may find it difficult to communicate their concerns to doctors and some doctors may find it takes longer to communicate clearly to some BME patients,” he said.
“However equality of care is enshrined in the NHS and it may be reassuring to BME groups if they find this explicitly stated as part of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice.”
Professor Bhupinder Sandhu, co-chair of the BMA’s equal opportunities committee, said: “Cultural background needs to be taken into account - there are gaps there and they need to be addressed.
“Medical and nursing staff need to be aware of diversity issues in health and bring about change.”
Tags: Communication, Equality
