NEWS
Implement BAME COVID-19 report recommendations now, says RCOT
RCOT is calling for the rapid implementation of the
recommendations in a Public Health England report on the impact
of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people.
The report recommends improving BAME groups’ access
to and experiences of NHS and social care services, as well as
having a better representation of BAME communities among
staff. In terms of COVID-19, there is a recommendation to ensure
that any recovery strategies actively address inequalities to help
create long term change.
Other key recommendations include:
• having better data collection about ethnicity and religion,
including having this recorded on death certificates to
accurately monitor the impact on these communities;
• supporting further research with the participation of ethnic
minority communities to understand the increased risk and
develop programmes to reduce it;
• developing risk assessments for BAME workers in roles
where they are exposed to a large section of the general
public or those infected with the virus; and
• targeting ethnic minority groups with culturally sensitive health
messages to address conditions such as diabetes, high
blood pressure and asthma.
Julia Scott, RCOT chief executive, said: ‘We fully welcome this
report into the impact of COVID-19 on our BAME communities.
We are keen to see the key recommendations in this report
implemented as soon as possible while there is political
momentum there to address these inequalities, many of which
have been building up over the years when it comes to access to
health and social care, even before COVID-19 hit.
‘We want to see further efforts to tackle racism and
discrimination in the health and care system. It is shameful that in
2020 in the UK people can have their experience of the NHS and
social care system shaped by the colour of their skin and those
propping up the very system can receive abuse for the life-saving
and life-changing work they do in supporting people.
‘RCOT is keen to do its part to help increase diversity and
tolerance within our profession and population. That is why we
are holding our BAME Big Conversation, which will help shine
a spotlight on the challenges our members face and the part
RCOT can play in tackling them. There is a lot of work to be
done in the next few weeks, months and years, to eradicate
inequalities, and we are committed to playing our part.’
Find out more about RCOT and diversity, at: www.rcot. co.uk/
news/rcot-statement-diversity.
Enabling you to care for your patients
no matter where they may be
During these uncertain times, we understand that you are
facing additional requests to support both the rehabilitation
of COVID patients as well as those who are deconditioned
after long periods of self-isolation at home.
To enable you to support your patients wherever they may be,
we are offering free* access to a number of digital manuals
and stimulus books including the Brief Battery of Health
improvement 2 and the Vineland-3, so that you can assess
their needs either remotely or via Telepractice.
Sign up to Q-global at
pearsonclinical.co.uk/telepracticeOT
*These resources will be available to you free of charge until 31st July 2020
PEUK A1911 | Version 1.0 | Clinical | June 2020 | DCL1: Public
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6 OTnews July 2020