Members of BAME communities urged to share experiences with Healthwatch to help tackle inequalities
The report’s findings show that coronavirus has both replicated existing health inequalities and, in some cases, increased them.
Imelda Redmond, Healthwatch National Director, said: “We stand in solidarity with people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities we serve. Recent events must make us all stop, question ourselves and ask what we can all do better.
“What can we do to stand up against racism? How can we help society understand the reasons why people from Black and Asian communities have been so disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 outbreak? What more can we do to ensure equality and celebrate diversity?
“Local Healthwatch services have done much to champion the voices of those who are often overlooked or go unheard, but we must do more to help change the ways things are done.
“In our work to help communities recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to all listen to the stories of those affected, make sure that everyone’s voices matter and that lessons are learned.
“If you have had an experience of health and care support, whether good or bad, that services could learn from, I appeal to you come forward, talk to your local Healthwatch and have your say.”
“Local Healthwatch services have done much to champion the voices of those who are often overlooked or go unheard, but we must do more to help change the ways things are done.”
Sharing the health and/or social care experiences you or a loved one has had during Covid-19 can help services understand:
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If you can access the information, support and treatment you need
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How COVID-19 has affected healthcare for you and your loved ones
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What the key issues and themes are surrounding people’s experiences of health and social care services during the pandemic
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Where improvements could be made
Imelda spoke in the wake of widespread protests following recent events in the US and the report from Public Health England about the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on people from Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority communities.
It is vital for local Healthwatch to understand how structural inequalities affect the health and care people receive, which is why we’re asking you to share your experiences of services during the pandemic.
Whether your experience is good, bad or a bit of both, we want to hear it. It only takes a few moments but could make a big difference, locally and nationally. What you tell us remains anonymous and there will not be repercussions to your current or future care.
You can find out how to contact Healthwatch North Yorkshire here.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire is committed to tackling health inequalities. NHS services in the county are are improving the translation services they provide after we highlighted difficulties faced by refugees attempting to access care in the county.
Public Health England report findings
The report from Public Health England highlighted the significant, detrimental impact that COVID-19 has had on people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the UK:
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Death rates from COVID-19 were highest amongst people of Black and Asian ethnic groups
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People of Bangladeshi ethnicity have twice the risk of death as White British people
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Black men were found to be three times more likely to die from COVID-19. Other ethnic groups are also at greater risk
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People from Black ethnic groups are most likely to be diagnosed
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People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Other Asian, Caribbean, and Other Black ethnicity are at 10% – 50% higher risk of death
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Death rates in the most deprived areas are more than double those in the least deprived areas
Gathering people’s personal experiences of care during the pandemic can help us understand and share the reasons behind these figures with national stakeholders.
