Research for several years has highlighted that in the UK, people of colour tend to experience worse healthcare outcomes in comparison to white counterparts. As the years have gone on, we have been able to better understand what this means, and the impact it has. In healthcare specifically, there was a time when differences in experience was not recognised, and often the patient was deemed to be the problem. As things have changed, we realise it is a multi-factorial issue, one of which is the institutional racism that exists within organisations, systems and procedures. This can have a negative impact on ethnic minorities, potentially worsening patient experience and even health outcomes.

The NHS is also a diverse organisation, with people of ‘ethnic minority’ background making up 26.7% of its workforce. 

Having worked in healthcare for many years, I witnessed some shocking experiences where staff were discriminated against directly because of the colour of their skin, or their faith by both fellow colleagues and members of the public.

So what can be done? The problem is not as easy as one solution will fix everything. As touched on earlier, there are multiple factors that affect and exacerbate the issue. But understanding it is the first step, then the second is working to dismantle it, whether that be the flaws in the system, or the issues we see around us and can speak out to address. Whilst it is a grim and sobering picture, we also see that there are opportunities where individuals have been able to break through ‘glass ceilings’, overcome barriers faced and thrive in environments they have been able to successfully shape and contribute to. In the book, case studies on a variety of individuals are explored, as well as what the reader can do to influence change.