Westminster PCT ... Why choose a healer instead of a GP?
It is well-known that people from some ethnic minorities are less likely than their white counterparts to visit a GP. But why precisely, if you come from a BME community, does it seem to be so much more difficult to see a family doctor?
That’s the question Westminster PCT is asking local people and staff in primary care this year. The trust has trained 20 volunteers to interview three groups – BME patients who are on GP lists, BME people who are not registered with a GP and, finally, staff working in general practice and primary care clinics.
A detailed questionnaire explores a host of potential difficulties at the GP surgery such as a lack of interpreters, feeling judged, explaining symptoms in English. It asks people which is the person’s provider of choice – a GP, a pharmacist, an A&E department or an alternative healer, for example. A separate questionnaire for staff looks at how well they understand the health needs of ethnic minorities.
“We know there is a problem,” says Brian Colman, equality and diversity manager for Westminster PCT, “but we want some real concrete understanding of the barriers and of the needs that the NHS is not meeting. Then we can frame a set of proposals to tackle the problem.
“I am particularly interested in why patients go elsewhere or use A&E or a walk-in service when they could or should use primary health care. We may find that, although we have a good interpreting service, it is not used enough in some settings. We may find people are not registered with GPs because they are anxious about immigration issues. Whatever the explanations, the PCT intends to get to the bottom of the problem.” Watch this space.