The consequences of racial bias in healthcare

What is discrimination in healthcare?

Discrimination in healthcare refers to a difference of treatment, poorer treatment or a difference in access to treatment, based on a protected characteristic, such as gender or race. There are several kinds of racial discrimination in healthcare settings, including:

• Direct discrimination: Being treated differently or denied treatment because of the patient's race.
• Indirect discrimination: This is when a seemingly neutral policy or action has a disproportionately negative impact on a person or group of people due to their race.
• Institutional racism: This is when policies and approved common practices and procedures within the healthcare system negatively impact a patient because of their race, but these practices are embedded into the system.
• Perceived racism: This refers to the experience of being treated unfairly based on perceived characteristics, even if the actual treatment given to a patient is not discriminatory.

Is there a racial bias in healthcare in the UK?

In June 2024, the British medical journal stated ‘One of the most prevalent forms of cultural bias within the NHS is the perpetuation of stereotypes and biases against patients from minority ethnic backgrounds.’

Further to this, the recent results of a survey on the level of trust that Black, Asian and ethnic minority patients have in NHS primary care service providers revealed alarming rates of discrimination and mistrust. The results showed that 38% of Asian participants and 49% of Black participants reported that primary care providers treat them differently due to their ethnicity.

Racial bias in healthcare across Scotland became such an issue that NHS Scotland issued anti-racism plans in late 2024. This plan stated that ‘Reducing health inequalities, improving population health and creating a more sustainable health and care system are top priorities for the Scottish Government. Dismantling systemic racism in Scotland is an integral part of this ambition. It has to be, because racism is increasingly recognised as a driver of inequalities for staff as well as patients, a public health challenge and a barrier to appropriate healthcare.’

What is the impact of racial inequality in healthcare?

Racial inequality in health care leads to incredibly negative consequences. Even the perception that a patient may be treat poorly based on their race may discourage someone who needs medical attention from seeking the care they need.

Racism in healthcare can result in:

• Poorer outcomes and higher fatalities in ethnic minority groups
• Delayed diagnosis leading to further health issues
• People from ethnic minority backgrounds may face barriers to accessing healthcare such as language barriers
• Negative effects on mental health as a result of being discriminated against, this includes higher levels of anxiety and stress.

Prolonged racial bias in healthcare can also lead to less ethnic minority representation amongst healthcare staff. This will continue to further marginalise ethnic minority groups and perpetuate poorer care.

As well as this, a racial bias in healthcare hinders any progression into understanding the difference in healthcare requirements between races. For example, reports in Scotland shared that the Covid-19 pandemic 'shone a fresh light on the continuing lack of completeness of data on ethnicity and health outcomes.'

What can I do if I feel I'm not getting the right care?

Advocating for your healthcare is extremely important. No one will understand how you feel better than you and as such it is imperative that you raise your concerns with a doctor and have them acknowledged. Making your concerns known, or potentially asking for a second opinion, ensures that symptoms your doctor may consider insignificant are not ignored. Second opinions can also help negate any bias a particular healthcare professional may have.

Having an active role in your healthcare can mean taking steps such as:

• asking questions about the treatment plan provided to you and asking why your healthcare professional chose this plan
• asking a doctor to explain what they mean if you do not understand something they said
• clarifying something you said if they misquote you
• challenging racial stereotypes if you feel they are present
• sharing relevant information such as pre-existing conditions or family health history

If a medical professional is discriminating against you, challenging them yourself may feel difficult. You may feel in a stronger position to advocate for yourself if you take a friend or family member to your appointment with you.

Advocating for yourself in a healthcare scenario ensures you have an active role in your healthcare decisions, and you can address potential concerns about your health or about biases, or what you perceive to be a lack of care. As uncomfortable as it can feel, you play a vital role in your healthcare.

How can Slater and Gordon help

If you believe you have experienced racial discrimination which led to negligence health care, we are here to help you. Alongside legal experts, we also have an in-house medical team who will help you through the claims process and identify where in your medical journey things went wrong.

Contact us online today or call us on 0330 041 5869.