BAME doctors twice as likely to not get PPE, poll suggests

BLACK and ethnic minority doctors are twice as likely as white medics to be sent to the ward without personal protective equipment, a major survey suggests.

The polling of almost 7,500 doctors by the British Medical Association shows 39 per cent of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) doctors had felt pressured to see a patient when they did not have adequate protection.

In total, 19 per cent of white doctors said they had been in this situation. Seven per cent of BAME doctors said they often experienced this situation, compared with 2 per cent of white doctors.

Two months ago, health chiefs issued guidance saying all BAME staff should be risk assessed before being sent to the ward. It followed growing evidence that they were at far greater risk of dying from the virus.

Latest research suggests that those from black and Asian ethnic groups are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as those from white British backgrounds. The survey shows one in three BAME doctors was unaware of any risk assessment.

The British Medical Association’s record of doctors who have died after contracting Covid-19 shows that more than 90 per cent are from BAME backgrounds. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association council chairman, said the results were “disturbing”.

He said: “It is vital that healthcare workers are properly assessed so that those at high risk can be redeployed to areas where they are less at risk, or work remotely, while still providing a vital service to the NHS.”

An NHS spokesman said: “PHE have issued guidance on what PPE to wear in what circumstances, and we have asked employers to ensure that this guidance is accessible and available to all, on top of carrying out specific risk assessments for all of their black and minority ethnic staff and other vulnerable groups.

“If any colleague is concerned on either of these points they should raise this with their trust and be listened to.”

Separately, a study has suggested that Bame children have suffered more damage to their mental health during lockdown than their white peers.

Data from Kooth, one of the biggest providers of online mental health services funded by the NHS, shows the number of Bame minors seeking help for anxiety increased by 11.4 per cent from March to May compared with a 3 per cent increase for white children.