Racism research: Some GPs actively discourage patients from minority ethnic backgrounds, in particular Travellers and asylum-seekers, from attending their surgeries, according to a report which is being launched today.
The report, which stems from research co-ordinated by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), states that while some GPs are inclusive in their approach to all patients, the same cannot be said for all family doctors. "While some GPs are inclusive in their approach to all patients, the NCCRI has anecdotal evidence from a number of sources, including GPs themselves, that some GPs actively discourage patients from minority ethnic backgrounds, in particular Travellers and asylum-seekers, from attending their surgeries citing reasons such as other patients would object, their lists are full, or such patients' needs are too time consuming," it says.
The report adds that while some GPs have been to the fore in developing courses on dealing with intercultural doctor-patient relations, "those most in need of such courses are also least likely to attend".
Entitled How Public Authorities Provide Services to Minority Ethnic Groups, the report will be discussed at a conference taking place at Belfast's Hilton Hotel today.
It looks at the provision by public authorities of health, education and policing services as well as employment to minority ethnic groups not just in the Republic, but also in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
It said those interviewed for the research in all three jurisdictions noted that there had been an increase in minority ethnic groups accessing health services in recent years.
"Some service providers felt that increasing ethnic diversity among health service users was creating added pressure both in terms of numbers and developing appropriate provision, not least because health systems are increasingly overstretched and under-resourced.
"NGOs [ Non-Governmental Organisations] have pointed out that migrant workers generate additional tax revenue and, therefore, resources should not be an issue. It is likely to be a lack of planning for service delivery to minority ethnic groups which leads to staff being placed in this position and expressing this increased pressure during the research," the report says.
It adds that in the Republic, hospital and other health service workers dealing face to face with people from minority ethnic backgrounds are left largely to cope with change as best they can. "This has led to some examples of good practice by committed health sector managers and NGOs but there is little evidence of systematic and consistent mainstreaming of intercultural healthcare policies."
While some GPs actively discourage patients from minority ethnic backgrounds attending their surgeries in the Republic, the report said the situation was perceived to be "slightly better" in Northern Ireland and Scotland, due to legislation which is in place in those jurisdictions.
The report predicts 18 per cent of the Republic's population will be accounted for by people from minority ethnic groups by 2030. In 2001 it was around 3 per cent.