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Poster Presentations
Posters 36–49 | education and training
P-44 George floyd and the development of the association for palliative medicine (APM) race equity committee
Free
  1. Qamar Abbas,
  2. Sarika Hanchanale,
  3. Jamilla Hussain,
  4. Gurpreet Gupta,
  5. Jasmine Lee and
  6. Nadia Khan
  1. St Clare Hospice Harlow, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, East of England Palliative Medicine Registrar, London and South East Palliative Medicine Registrar, John Taylor Hospice Birmingham

Abstract

Background Racial prejudice and discrimination are increasing in healthcare and towards healthcare professionals. Studies show increased rates of poor mental and physical illness among the minority ethnic ageing population compared with the majority population.1 Research and GMC data also demonstrate disparities according to ethnicity in medical workforce outcomes across all measures of training and career progression, as well as GMC investigations and sanctions.2

Race Equity in Palliative Care Within palliative care there is evidence of poor access and outcomes for minority ethnic groups. This has commonly been attributed to deficits within minority ethnic communities such as lack of awareness and misconceptions of services, religious and cultural preferences, a reluctance to engage in advance care planning and language barriers. Little serious consideration has been given to structural disadvantage.3

Race Equity Committee Following the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter demonstrations of 2020, the APM supported the creation of a Race Equity Committee, led by a group of trainees and consultants working within the specialty from minority ethnic backgrounds. The Committee has been supported by members of the APM executive team. The Committee aims to:

  1. Create a safe space for members from minority ethnic backgrounds to share experiences and views on how to address racial and ethnic inequity.

  2. Understand the experiences of staff working within palliative care of racial and ethnicity-based prejudice and discrimination.

  3. Support the development of an anti-racism strategy within the APM.

Progress:

  1. The committee have valued peer support and aim to expand membership so others can benefit from a safe space for minority ethnic staff within palliative care. Safe spaces for allies will also be supported.

  2. A staff survey to explore experiences of racism within palliative care is due for release.

  3. A commitment to being better representative of the minority ethnic people it champions.

References

  1. Bécares L, Kapadia D, Nazroo J. Neglect of older ethnic minority people in UK research and policy. BMJ 2020;368:m212.

  2. Atewologun D, Kline R, Ochieng M. Fair to refer: Reducing disproportionality in fitness to practise concerns reported to the GMC June 2019. https://tinyurl.com/2fj8bv8w

  3. Hussain JA, Koffman J, Bajwah S. Racism and palliative care. Palliative medicine 2021;35(5):810–813. doi:10.1177/02692163211012887

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2022-SCPSC.65

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