Commenting on the report on ethnic health inequalities published by the NHS Race and Health Observatory, Jabeer Butt OBE, CEO of the Race Equality Foundation said:
“This report pulls together important evidence on ethnic health inequalities, which will hopefully be used by more organisations and individuals to understand and tackle these shameful inequalities going forward. But we can’t lose sight of the real issue here: accountability. The NHS has taken on many equality-related initiatives over the years, but little is said about whether these initiatives are successful; if not – why not – and who will be held accountable for failures.
“Without this piece of the puzzle, we are destined to repeat a cycle of racial inequalities being identified, a commitment to action from the NHS, with evidence of change – or lack thereof – disappearing into the ether, with no one being held to account. We need to see accountability that isn’t just the NHS marking its own homework, as the NHS takes forward this report’s recommendations.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Press contact: comms@racefound.org.uk / 07593 454182
2. About the Race Equality Foundation
The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity tackling racial inequality across public services to improve the lives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Its areas of work cover health and care, housing, children and families, employment, communities and more.
3. Involvement in the report
The Race Equality Foundation provided input to this report by way of a rapid evidence review and conducting stakeholder groups.
