Racism rife in medical training

One in three NHS hospital doctors is from an ethnic minority

Ethnic minority doctors may be denied jobs in the NHS because of the colour of their skin, a report suggests.

Figures from the British Medical Association show that most ethnic minority doctors believe racism is rife in the health service.

Almost nine out of 10 said race played "a significant role" in determining whether or not they had a successful career.

Most of their white colleagues agreed. More than half told the BMA that a doctor's race could affect their medical career.

The findings come just weeks after the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, accused the NHS of being "chronically and consistently" racially biased against patients and staff.

Ethnic doctors

The report is based on a survey of 476 doctors who qualified in 1995. Of these, 400 were white and 76 were from ethnic minorities.

These included doctors who trained overseas and those who were trained in the UK.

People keep quiet because they want a good reference

Anonymous black male doctor

The report reveals that doctors from ethnic minorities experience "pockets of racism" throughout their medical careers.

Almost two out of three ethnic minority doctors said racism exists during medical training.

A similar number said it can result in some people being denied jobs in the early stages of their career.

Nine out of 10 said the colour of a doctor's skin can influence their chances of specialising.

The report found that doctors of all races are generally unwilling to speak out against racism in the NHS because of fears it could damage their careers.

"The NHS is a very racist place and mirrors society," an anonymous black male doctor, who trained in the UK, told the BMA.

"People keep quiet because they want a good reference."

A white female doctor backed that view.

"I believe that the NHS is another institutionally racist organisation. Being white Caucasian, I have not had direct experience of it; though I have often been in earshot of racist comments."

A white female doctor from Britain told the BMA of how one consultant binned job applications from overseas doctors.

'Institutionally racist'

"He threw out all the ones from overseas, binned them in front of me," she said.

One ethnic minority doctor told the BMA that it took her consultant four months to learn her name.

He told staff: "I can't remember funny foreign names."

I have often been in earshot of racist comments

Anonymous white female doctor

The report calls on individual doctors, hospitals and universities to take steps to stamp out racism.

It suggests that the appointment of people to training posts should be more transparent and objective and medical schools should make students aware of cultural diversity issues.

It also suggests that trainee doctors should have access to a personal advocate - a senior doctor in another speciality whom they can go to for advice without jeopardising their careers.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, said the report findings made "uncomfortable reading".

"Diversity exists in the medical profession, but individuals are not getting equitable opportunities," she said.

NHS trusts have been legally required to tackle racism and promote equal opportunities since May last year, with the introduction of the Race Relations Act.

"Managers can take immediate steps to improve the situation," Dr Nathanson said.

The Department of Health said it is determined to stamp out racism.

A spokeswoman said: "There is no place for racism and discrimination in the NHS and we take this issue very seriously and are determined to stamp it out.

"To do this the department has implemented a wide range of policies and programmes to ensure equality and diversity in employment."