A diverse O&G workforce brings significant value to both healthcare providers and patients. Enhanced diversity brings about a myriad of benefits and improves the overall quality of care.
Sadly, racism in the O&G workforce in the UK is an ongoing issue that affects both healthcare professionals and patients. Doctors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds face racism, harassment and discrimination, influencing the work environment and potentially the quality of care provided.
The RCOG does not tolerate racism – and we remain committed to working towards racial equality. Today we have released our Race Equity Project Summary Report – which presents the current situation within the O&G speciality, and highlights measures being taken to tackle racism in the workplace and specifically within the NHS.
The report finds that there is a need for a concerted effort, from leaders to frontline workers, to push for better reporting, recording and action when acts of microaggression and racism occur. It finds that current mechanisms for reporting are inadequate and deter staff from raising concerns.
This chimes with the lived experiences of O&G professionals – with a survey undertaken of UK-based RCOG members showing that sadly, nearly three-quarters of respondents reported experiencing or witnessing racial harassment and/or discrimination in the last twelve months.
RCOG President Ranee Thakar said:
“Racism has no place within the O&G workforce. Confronting racism and cultural bias in our community is not only vital for a psychologically healthy and thriving workforce but is also imperative for achieving equitable and high-quality health care outcomes.
“One of my primary ambitions as President is to continue the progress made by the College in recent years as we work towards ensuring racial equity within the specialty – and this report gives us the evidence to continue our important work.”
Additionally the College’s recently published Racial and ethnic equality in women’s health policy position concludes that ending racial and ethnic health inequalities and improving outcomes across women’s health in the UK is possible - but requires coordinated action from the government and NHS, support for women’s health services and workforce, and collaboration across government departments to address the root causes of health inequalities.
Using the findings of this report the RCOG will move forward with our Race Equity Project, with new resources being developed to focus on intervention - covering areas such as Empowerment and Psychological safety.