British Medical Association Celebrates Contribution Of Black And Minority Ethnic Doctors To The NHS

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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To mark October 2008's Black History Month, the BMA has produced a report, "A celebration of black, minority and ethnic (BME) doctors"¹, chronicling the experiences of BME doctors working in the NHS.

Co-chair of the BMA's Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC), Professor Bhupinder Sandhu, said today:

"Black and ethnic minority doctors are often the unsung heroes of the NHS and yet their contribution is immense. With more than a third of the NHS workforce now coming from BME backgrounds it is fitting that the BMA produces a document to pay tribute to them.

"What is clear from so many of the anecdotes in this report is that these doctors are proud to work for the health service, however, many of them have also struggled with racism and barriers to their career progression. The UK and the medical profession have come a long way in terms of racial equality since the foundation of the NHS in 1948 but there is still a need to ensure that BME staff are given the same opportunities as their colleagues."

Here are quotes from the report:

"I think that BME doctors contribute immensely to the mission of the NHS. A major contribution is in the care of older people. Many BME doctors are from cultures that recognise and provide for the needs of the older generation within extended families and, as such, they are more accustomed to working with this group."
Dr Dyna Carol Arhin

"I also think that BME doctors provide good role models for young black people. Too often such people look to footballers and musicians as role models. They forget to look to professionals like doctors who are doing their bit for the community and who provide a more stable reference point for disaffected youth."
Dr Terry John

"One of my children is a junior doctor and these days junior doctors of BME backgrounds all seem to assert themselves much more than we did in the past. While we believed in equality, many of us felt that if we spoke out we might be victimised …I think that the new generation believes in justice and equality and stands up for these principles regardless of the consequences."
Dr Kailash Chand

"While there has been some work to improve the recognition of BME doctors many can still end up working in locum consultant positions on a temporary basis for nine or 10 years. I don't think it is the people but rather the system which causes these outcomes. If you get the system right, things can change."
Dr Hilal Fareed

¹ Click here to acess the Full Report

British Medical Association
http://www.bma.org.uk