Suffolk PCT
Profile
Suffolk PCT covers a predominantly rural area with just over 585,000 residents who are relatively healthy and who generally have high life expectancy.
Compared with other areas of the UK, the numbers of people living in Suffolk from BME groups is relatively small (2.76%). This overall figure however masks the concentration of BME people living in some localities and the rapid growth in the number of “new and emerging communities” in recent years.
There are six local authority wards with more than the national average of people from BME groups and more than 60% of Asians resident in Suffolk live in Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds. The presence of the US Air Force, three prisons (with higher percentages of BME inmates than the local population) and a number of private schools in the county also partially explains the relatively high proportion of ethnic minority residents in a number of the county’s wards.
Our BME population faces big issues…
Mobile and transient populations: The growing numbers of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers within Suffolk present particular challenges for both commissioners and providers of health services, particularly in the areas of access and responsiveness.
Scale of diversity: Although the overall percentage of the BME population in Suffolk is relatively small, the ethnic mix is extremely diverse and this makes it difficult to target services effectively. With over 105 languages spoken as a first language and relatively large numbers of new and emerging communities and refugee and asylum seekers in the county, these groups face challenges with language and literacy.
Fragmentation and rural isolation: The rural nature and size of the county means that BME communities in Suffolk are scattered and have little contact with each other. The distance between services and potential users is a barrier to access.
Our workforce needs…
Increased knowledge and support for all staff to mainstream race equality and to enable the PCT to better serve the needs of BME communities.
Access to development and training for BME staff which is clearly linked to career progression and which ensures that BME staff are kept informed of training, mentoring and other opportunities for personal development.
To feel more confident in undertaking equality impact assessments on relevant policies, services and functions and to develop meaningful actions linked to service planning which address any identified adverse impact.
Commissioning raises issues…
Needs analysis: Accurate analysis of health needs is a key priority for the PCT in tackling health inequalities. The PCT is working with health and local authority partners to assess the needs of vulnerable and marginalised communities in order to inform future commissioning decisions.
Data collection and monitoring: National statistics indicate significant health disadvantages for people from the BME population but information at a local level is at best patchy and, at worst, not available. In the absence of such information, it is difficult for the PCT to target resources effectively and to monitor the impact of service provision.
We’re proud of…
The steps we have taken to involve BME communities in our commissioning plans. Between January and June 2007 the PCT involved over 800 people across Suffolk, including several meetings with BME groups in developing our commissioning plans for 2008 – 2011.
The Community Refugee Team in Ipswich. Funded by the PCT, the team provides health access information and advocacy support for refugees and asylum seekers.
The Suffolk BME NHS Staff Network: the PCT supports this county-wide network which meets quarterly to discuss issues pertinent to BME staff and services for patients. The network is open to everyone who is interested in BME issues and has proactive links with other BME NHS Staff network groups. Members are involved in the national Breaking Through Professional Development Programme and the Top Talent Programme which supports career development up to director level.
Next steps…
The development of a Single Equality Scheme. The PCT is currently developing a Single Equality Scheme and action plan for 2008 – 2011 with local BME communities and other minority groups. The scheme and action plan will ensure that we adopt good practice in service commissioning and ultimately provision and employment practice, as well as meeting our statutory duties in relation to equality legislation.
Improved workforce monitoring: The PCT is working to improve the ethnic monitoring of its workforce and employment practices in order to develop and maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Multi-agency training and development: The PCT is working as part of a multi-agency task group to develop a comprehensive training programme, which will be available to staff working within statutory and non-statutory organisations in Suffolk. The aim of the programme is to draw on existing expertise and knowledge within agencies to provide a range of training from basic introductory level through to more advanced levels.
Programme Lead:
Jennie Fisher
Community Engagement Manager
01473 770 009