ICS leaders are pledging to play their part to tackle racism and discrimination in primary care following the results of a survey. 
 
361 people responded to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Racism and Discrimination survey, which is the first of its kind to capture the experiences of administrators, clinical staff, and managers working in primary care in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. 
 
The survey, which took place in March, was carried out by the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Primary Care Racial Equity and Diversity Working Group. The group has now published a report which calls for an accountable and targeted system approach to tackle racism, provide support and empower the primary care workforce through addressing inequalities and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. 
 
The responses highlighted people’s experiences of discrimination in areas including: 
 
Education and training 
Professional development 
Working patterns 
Complaints 
 
Examples include: 
22% 
of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic respondents reported that their education or professional development was affected by racism or discrimination. 
24% 
of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic respondents reported they received complaints from colleagues due to racism or discrimination. 
One respondent commented: 
"Looking back having spent 34 years in NHS there were times when I had to be twice as good or work twice as hard than the local Caucasian colleague to get where I needed to professionally." 
In response to the report findings, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS Independent Chair Kathy McLean states: 
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This survey offers an insight into the reality of primary care in our system and reminds us that discrimination against Black, Asian and minority ethnic people continues, despite the best efforts of some committed people in our system to address this. This discrimination is multi-layered and complex but has a significant impact on people across Primary Care. 
 
Black History Month 2022 theme was ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’, and we too now need to use this insightful work to generate action and change within primary care and across our whole system. I am personally committed to ensuring that across our system we work as active partners to tackle discrimination in all forms. 
Should you have any questions or would like to discuss this report with the team, the Racial Equity and Diversity team can be emailed at info@nottsredgroup.co.uk. 
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