NHS Lanarkshire has launched a new initiative to take an active stance against racism.
The health board’s first anti-racism plan aims to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for both staff and patients.
The organisation’s new Anti-Racism Champion is Colin Lee, a non-executive member of NHS Lanarkshire’s board.
Colin, who’s chief executive of race equality organisation CEMVO Scotland, explained: “Being anti-racist is more than just disapproving of racist behaviour. It’s the active commitment to recognise, challenge and dismantle racism through deliberate actions, not just words.
“We know racism still exists in health services – 44 per cent of respondents in an NHS Lanarkshire staff survey reported experience of racism themselves, and 39 per cent had witnessed racism against colleagues. Notably, only one per cent felt able to report these issues.
“We asked the public and our staff for feedback on the draft plan and their input has helped shape this vital document and the actions that will flow from it.
“The plan and the creation of my role represents a commitment and a firm statement from the board, showing that it takes racism seriously. The mark of success over the next few years will be seeing real, measurable evidence of change.”
Professor S Josephine Pravinkumar, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Public Health and Health Policy, is overseeing the plan as it relates to patients and the public.
She said: “NHS Lanarkshire serves people from many communities. Even though we try hard, some groups still have worse healthcare outcomes.
“For example, in the UK, black and Asian women are up to four times more likely to die in pregnancy than white women. That’s not right – and we want to help change it.
“We’ll take a number of steps, including using data to identify any issues with accessing services, improving staff cultural awareness, and a review of our use of interpreters.”
Responsible for the staff element of the plan is Jacqui Jones, NHS Lanarkshire Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources.
She said: “We want to be a place where staff from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported.
“Being anti-racist means staff feel respected and safe. It supports staff wellbeing, reduces sick leave and helps staff stay in their jobs.
“We already have an Ethnic Minority Employee Network, supporting international medical staff and promoting events like Black History Month, and we’ll ensure the plan is a living document that continues to develop and help us ensure our colleagues are treated fairly and with respect.”
The initiative will be supported by a new digital system for staff, called Reporting A Discriminatory Incident, and by looking at the employment of staff from black and minority ethnic communities.
The plan has seven key goals:
- Support NHS Lanarkshire’s workforce
- Understand the local population
- Help services to seek out inequalities and ways to tackle them
- Develop a culture that supports our staff and patients to be actively anti-racist
- Listen to communities and the voices of lived experience
- Strong leadership to hold NHS Lanarkshire accountable
- Review and evaluate the plan
Visit the anti-racism section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website to see the new plan – www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/anti-racism-plan/.
