Covid-19 and BAME Communities
Combatting health inequalities through local Healthwatch delivery
As one of the largest market providers of local Healthwatch in England, we at ECS recognise the importance of doing all that we can to combat health inequalities.
Following the events in the US and news here about the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on people from Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority communities, we are working in partnership with Healthwatch England to play our part in tacking health inequalities by calling out for people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to share their healthcare experiences during COVID-19, to help services learn and improve.
Healthwatch England National Director, Imelda Redmond said:
“We stand in solidarity with people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities we serve. Recent events must make us all stop, question ourselves and ask what we can all do better.
What can we do to stand up against racism? How can we help society understand the reasons why people from Black and Asian communities have been so disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak? What more can we do to ensure equality and celebrate diversity?
Local Healthwatch services have done much to champion the voices of those who are often overlooked or go unheard, but we must do more to help change the ways things are done. In our work to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to all listen to the stories of those affected, make sure that everyone’s voices matter and that lessons are learned.
If you have had an experience of health and care support, whether good or bad, that services could learn from, I appeal to you come forward, talk to your local Healthwatch and have your say.”
Together we can play our part in tackling health inequality and creating a fairer society for all.
ECS delivers local Healthwatch in Halton, Warrington, Leicester, Leicestershire, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell. We are supporting the National Healthwatch network by getting as many people as possible to share their views so we can understand both the local and national picture and use the feedback to highlight where problems exist, escalate and challenge things where there are problems and help local health and social care services learn and improve.
How can I share my experiences?
We are calling out for people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to share their healthcare experiences during COVID-19, to help services learn and improve.
Click here for the link to the Healthwatch England survey that allows people to select their local Healthwatch area or alternatively, take a few moments to complete this online form or contact your local Healthwatch.
You can also contact ECS directly via email: contactus@weareecs.co.uk and we can help you to get to the information you need to share your feedback.