'Daily racism' for minority doctors

Its author says doctors from black and ethnic minority groups face either the threat or reality of racism "from the moment they apply to medical school to the day they retire from practice".

The 'Racism in Medicine' book, edited by Naaz Coker, King's Fund race and diversity director, tells how doctors face racism in pursuing their careers and from patients.

It states that doctors from ethnic minorities are less likely than white colleagues to get the top jobs, particularly if they trained overseas.

" Doctors from black and ethnic minority ethnic groups are still being sidelined "
Naaz Coker,
King's Fund

And it says that recent figures show black and Asian doctors are still more likely to find themselves working as a GP in a deprived inner city area or in the more unpopular hospital specialities.

They are also far less likely to become hospital consultants.

Two thirds of the non-consultant senior grade of doctors in hospitals are from ethnic minorities.

The King's Fund wants to see reforms from the grassroots up to the profession's leaders, and sets out guidelines on how racism can be tackled.

Medical schools, hospital trusts managers and the bodies that govern the profession must address the problem, it says.

'Sidelined'

The book includes a foreword by Michael Mansfield QC, and chapters written by ethnic minority doctors.

Mrs Coker told BBC News Online she had been studying racism in medicine for a decade, and said she had heard some "painful stories" while researching the book.

She said: "Nearly a decade after racism in medicine was first exposed systematically, doctors from black and ethnic minority ethnic groups are still being sidelined within the profession.

"This is a shameful waste of talent. Yet it is not inevitable, and it can be tackled given sufficient effort. The profession's leaders must take action now to tackle racist behaviour among their ranks and promote equal opportunities for all."

" Freedom from racist harassment and discrimination is a fundamental human right "
Sir Donald Irvine
GMC President

She said ethnic minority doctors were still "demoralised, depressed and unhappy".

A report from the Institute for Policy Studies last July said the General Medical Council, which regulates the profession, found there was no evidence of "overt" racism in the GMC.

However, it said disproportionately high numbers of "overseas" doctors were sent to face disciplinary hearings.

GMC president Sir Donald Irvine backed the King's Fund book, and said: "Freedom from racist harassment and discrimination is a fundamental human right.

"In upholding that right, all of us in the medical profession have a responsibility to tackle racism and pursue racial equality. Discrimination must have no place in medicine."