Cabinet secretary for health and social care Neil Gray has issued a statement highlighting racism as a significant public health challenge, and a key cause of health inequalities.
In acknowledging that ‘racism persists in society and within our NHS and social care services’, the health secretary said government knew this was so ‘because colleagues tell us about their experiences and because we have data showing that minority ethnic communities have some of the worst health outcomes.’
The health secretary outlined various measures, including asking health boards to develop and deliver their own anti-racism plans. To help support this development, he announced the publication of national guidance for boards in consultation with the Ethnic Minority Forum.
The Scottish Government’s 2024/25 Programme for Government includes plans to embed anti-racism [measures] across the public sector.
The health secretary said: ‘My priority is for NHS staff to feel safe and supported to speak up about racism, and to be confident that racism will be dealt with. I also want to see greater diversity across the NHS, including in leadership positions.’
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