NHS: RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND UNEQUAL PAY

03 October 2018

The NHS has recently come under fire regarding racial discrimination in relation to pay, as evidence showed that the salary of white senior consultants was almost £10,000 more than BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) doctors.

The study also showed that BME nurses and personnel staff were also being underpaid compared to their white comparators.

This information emerged in the British Medical Journal, in which Professor John Appleby, the director of research and chief economist at the Nuffield Trust thinktank, contributed to the study, stating:

“A more detailed breakdown shows that median basic pay for white consultants is high than for all other ethnic groups, varying from around 3.5% higher than black/black British consultants to over 6% higher than mixed or dual heritage consultants.”

Both the British Medical Association (BMA) and the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) were in agreement regarding the findings being part of a wider problem of discrimination against BME doctors.

The BMA chair, Dr Chaand Nagpaul voiced his opinion on the study, stating:

“This BMJ study confirms that BME doctors continue to face unacceptable barriers, penalties and discrimination in the NHS.”

“It cannot be right that in 21^st century Britain there are such wide gaps in pay between white and BME doctors in senior posts, when irrespective of their background they old positions to deliver the same care to patients.”

Whilst the BAPIO’s chairman, Dr JS Bamrah was outraged further:

“This BME pay gap further reinforces our view that there is widespread racial discrimination at all levels in the NHS.”

However, there is evidence to show that a partial number of pay gaps exist due to white consultants being older and having more experience than BME consultants, therefore they are paid on experience basis. Although Professor John Appleby commented that the pay gap is too wide for this to always be the case, which is why further investigation should take place.

The chief executive of NHS Employers, Danny Mortimer, who deals with pay negotiations, deemed the salary gap “very concerning” and that the NHS “must address the factors that lie behind this unwarranted and unfair divergence.”

Dr Nagpaul also discussed how it is not only the pay gap that should be investigated, but also other forms of discrimination, stating:

“A recently launched major BMA survey shows that BME doctors also feel they are at greater risk of harassment and bullying and feel less able to raise concerns in the workplace.”

Stephen Barclay, the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, discussed solutions regarding unequal pay and race discrimination within the NHS, stating:

“We have commissioned our own data on ethnicity pay, to identify where the biggest gaps lie in the workforce.”

“We will shortly outline plans to tackle inequalities at senior levels and break down barriers to progression, allowing the facilitation and celebration of diversity at all levels of the NHS.”

If you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, we can assist you with a claim for compensation. 

Please contact us at 0151 659 1070.