BAME workers could be pulled from NHS front line for protection
BLACK, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) NHS staff should be “riskassessed” and could be given roles away from the front line to reduce their exposure to coronavirus, new health service guidance suggests.
A memo from the head of the NHS to local trusts said they should act on emerging evidence that those from ethnic minority backgrounds were are at increased risk.
One in five of the 1.3 million NHS staff are from minority backgrounds – including almost half of all hospital doctors. Healthcare leaders should “risk-assess” such staff, who may be at a greater risk of Covid-19 and make “appropriate arrangements”, NHS England has said.
The organisation has already said that older staff, those with underlying conditions and pregnant women could be given the option to work remotely, or in lower risk areas, away from the front line.
Now NHS managers are being asked to assess BAME staff, and similarly reconsider their duties and how best to protect such workers. Other options could include prioritising such staff for testing and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
There is growing concern about the number of staff from ethnic minorities counted in the NHS death toll from coronavirus.
The new advice was outlined in a letter to local NHS organisations yesterday, with the body advising the move on a “precautionary basis” ahead of a national review of the effects of Covid-19 on BAME individuals. The latest figures from NHS England showed that BAME people accounted for 16 per cent of all hospital deaths in England up to April 21, with those of an Indian heritage being the worstaffected.
The guidance, written by Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive, and Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief operating officer, says: “Emerging UK and international data suggests that people from BAME backgrounds are also being disproportionately affected by Covid-19.
“Public Health England have been asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to investigate this.
“In advance of their report and guidance, on a precautionary basis, we commend employers should riskassess staff at potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements accordingly.”
Some trusts are taking their own separate measures in light of the situation.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has categorised its minority workers as “vulnerable and at-risk”, meaning managers will discuss with them whether they feel safe in their work, and has made them a priority for testing and ensuring they are fit-tested with masks “as soon as possible”.
The guidance also sets out detailed plans for the NHS to ramp up routine operations, and urgent care for patients, while continuing to use “remote” care whenever possible.
The guidance says that while 90 per cent of GP appointments used to be carried out face-to-face, 85 per cent of consultations are now being carried out by phone or video to help reduce the spread of the virus.