Shropshire County PCT

Profile

The number of people from a black and minority ethnic group in Shropshire County has increased from 1,831 (0.7%) of the population in 1991 to 3,431 (1.2%) in 2001 but remains significantly lower than the national average of 8.7% (Table 1).

Table 1 Ethnic Populations, 2001


Total population White Mixed Asian Black Chinese and other Total ethnic
Bridgnorth 52,497 99.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.9%
North Shropshire 57,108 98.9% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% 1.1%
Oswestry 37,308 98.9% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 1.1%
Shrewsbury & Atcham 95,850 98.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.1% 0.6% 1.6%
South Shropshire 40,410 99.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 0.9%
Shropshire County 283,173 98.8% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 1.2%
England & Wales 52,041,916 91.3% 1.3% 4.4% 2.2% 0.9% 8.7%

Source: Key statistics for Local Authorities, 2001 Census, Office for National Statistics, © Crown copyright 2003

Our BME population faces big issues…

Targeted Services: There is a small BME community in Shropshire County so there are no specific individual services geared to meeting any specific service needs that this population may have.

Migration and understanding the impact on the PCT: There is an increasing migrant population in the county and it is necessary to understand their requirements from not only a health perspective but the impact on schools, child protection services, language barriers, housing, community relations and crime which is often targeted against migrants.

Our workforce needs…

In our PCT 1.05 percent of the staff group are from BME communities and so it is representative of the local BME population.

Greater Awareness – about small BME communities in its areas including the migrant population.

More Knowledge – about small BME communities in its areas including the migrant population.

Commissioning raises issues…

Targeting: There is a small BME community so there are no specific individual services geared to meeting any specific service needs that they may have.

Increasing Awareness: We are beginning to generate information on BME service user satisfaction and need to use this information when commissioning services.

We’re proud of…

Chinese Healthy Living Centre Study: This study has been completed. We are currently sharing the findings of the review and agreeing processes to progress forward.

Interpretation and Translation Services: 24 hour access to Interpretation and Translation Services.

Patient Satisfaction Survey: Our General Practice Assessment Questionnaire demonstrated that BME patients seem more satisfied with speed of access to both any doctor and a doctor of choice.

Next steps…

Improve Services: By generating new / utilising existing information in relation to the needs of BME population to commission and provide appropriate services.

Programme lead

Bharti Patel – Smith

Clinical Governance Manager

01743 492038