Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ethnic Inequalities in Healthcare

Tuesday 1 March 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Valerie Vaz asked about the assessment of policies based on the NHS Race and Health Observatory's February 2022 report on 'Ethnic Inequalities in Healthcare'.
  • Valerie Vaz inquired about ensuring equality and transparency for NHS staff and users, mentioning the Manor.
  • Feryal Clark questioned why the Tories had failed to reduce ethnic disparities in healthcare over twelve years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Valerie Vaz Lab Walsall and Bloxwich
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The NHS Race and Health Observatory released a report in February 2022 on ethnic inequalities in healthcare, prompting this question. The report details disparities affecting patient care.

Question

What assessment has been made of the implications for policies based on the NHS Race and Health Observatory's February 2022 report on 'Ethnic Inequalities in Healthcare'? I hope the Secretary of State will ensure that all conclusions from this report are implemented. The McLean review into senior leadership at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which annexed Walsall Manor Hospital, raises questions about equality and transparency for staff and patients.

Answer from Sajid Javid

Addressing disparities discussed in the report is a priority. Progress includes increasing covid-19 vaccine take-up among ethnic minorities. A health disparities White Paper will be published later this year setting out measures to address disparities and their causes, including those related to ethnicity. The McLean review highlights important issues that need serious attention.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to implementing all report recommendations specifically

How: Will Be Taking It Very Seriously

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Q2 Valerie Vaz Lab Walsall and Bloxwich
NHS
Context

The McLean review into senior leadership at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which annexed Walsall Manor Hospital, raises concerns about equality and transparency for staff and patients in the NHS.

Question

Can he say what will be done to ensure all those working in the NHS and using the NHS are treated with equality and transparency, starting with the Manor?

Answer from Sajid Javid

The report raises important issues that will be seriously addressed. The Secretary has already referred to a medical devices review headed by Dame Margaret Whitehead. He also mentioned the importance of inequality of treatment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify steps for equality and transparency at Walsall Manor Hospital

How: Will Be Taking It Very Seriously, Welcome The Report

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Q3 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Over a decade of Conservative government, evidence shows no significant change in the treatment of ethnic minority patients who continue to receive poorer care due to race at every stage of their life.

Question

Why have the Tories failed to act on reducing ethnic disparities in healthcare over 12 years?

Answer from Sajid Javid

The report highlights longstanding issues of ethnic disparities under successive Governments. The current Government is addressing these with initiatives like the medical devices review and a maternity disparities taskforce.

Not addressed: Did not address why there has been no significant change over 12 years

How: Understanding That Disparities Exist For Decades, Current Government Doing Something

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