Berkshire East PCT
Profile
The minority ethnic population in Berkshire East represents about 16% of the population (2001 census). Although this is slightly higher than the England figure of 13%, it is not reflected uniformly when we look at the make up of the population in each of the 3 unitary authorities. Slough Unitary Authority has the highest ethnic minority population at 41.7% in contrast to WAM Unitary Authority where it is only at 9.4%, while at Bracknell Forest this is slightly below the average at 12%. There is considerable ethnic variation with a particularly high proportion of people from Asian ethnic groups, e.g. Slough the highest proportion of Sikh residents in the country. There are also high levels of new arrivals and asylum seekers many of which are vulnerable and in need of key services.
Our BME population faces big issues…
Diverse Population: There is a wide range of communities from many different areas, with over 50 different first languages spoken in Slough. South Asian populations tend to have higher rates of heart disease and diabetes while black ethnic groups generally have higher rates of diabetes and strokes compared North European White populations. Some of the minority ethnic groups also experience higher rates of deprivation – associated with higher tobacco use, poor diet and less physical activity, as well as poorer mental health. These all contribute to health inequalities.
New Communities: New entrants into the area can quickly result in the emergence of new communities with needs that have to be met like the growth of the Nepali community in Bracknell resulting in increasing numbers of pupils with English as a second language and women with health needs reliant on husbands or children to translate at GP. Here we worked closely with the Bracknell Forest Council to facilitate projects in the community to engage them and build their confidence to take up formal classes ran at the local Further Education College e.g. the Nepali women’s group which is run as part of the extended services programme in Sandhurst.
Information: the lack of up to date information makes it difficult to plan ahead to meet the needs of the changing population.
Our workforce needs…
Opportunity: The PCT’s workforce is drawn from a diverse background at 28.5% from a BME background and compares well with the 21% of BME within the population. The PCT’s executive team is committed to improve the proportion of BME staff at the senior manager and at Board level. The PCT has a Mentoring Scheme and BME staff can be matched to Senior Managers or Directors for mentoring. A new internal Management Development Programme targeting staff at bands 5 to 6 is currently being piloted and future programmes will have pre-allocated places for BME staff.
Cultural competence: There is evidence to show that the population is increasingly diverse. More need to be done to improve the cultural competence and raise awareness of the workforce on diversity issues and the PCT will continue to hold Equality & Diversity Workshops.
Commissioning raises issues…
Intelligence: The lack of information about the number, origin and destination of migrants poses a problem in strategic planning and defining accurate commissioning specification for appropriate services that will meet the needs of this diverse population
Embedding Race Equality: Commissioning, including (PBC) Practice Based Commissioning has a role in influencing service improvement and improving access of services especially of Primary Healthcare for BME and new migrants.
Performance Monitoring: Performance standards on race equality should be specified with contracts and monitored against.
We’re proud of…
Engaging and Consulting our Community: Right Care, Right Place is the PCT’s public consultation with the local community on proposals for changes to the local health services over the next five to ten years. The consultation commenced on 21st January and ends on 14th April 2008 and all efforts had been made to reach out to all known local groups and communities, including holding group sessions and public meetings with translation aid and one group in Punjabi. The consultation questionnaire has been translated into Polish, Punjabi and Urdu. Dr Fosters, an Independent provider of healthcare information has been commissioned to analyse and report on the Consultation. An Equality Impact Assessment will also be carried out, documented and published.
Health Activist Programme: Health Activists are volunteers from the local communities who work with the local people to promote health. They gave out leaflets and information in shopping centres, libraries and community centres and they are key to events like promoting public health campaigns e.g. No Smoking Day, Diabetes Awareness Week and other health promotion activities.
New Services: The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Service is a new and developing service in Berkshire East Primary Care Trust which aims to meet the needs of the population.
Next steps…
We want our commissioning decisions based on public health data of our community needs. We have undertaken joint Strategic Needs assessments with each of our three partner Unitary Authorities and will embed equality and diversity into the strategic framework of the PCT. We will continue to consult and engage our community to improve service delivery and access to appropriate services. To encourage more BME people into senior positions, we will expand coaching, mentoring and management development programmes.
Programme lead:
Sue Lee, Head of Workforce, Equality & Diversity