The CQC is planning to collect and monitor the ethnicity data of GP providers to see whether this information ‘could be a factor’ in the inspection ratings awarded to practices.
The health and care regulator said there were ‘longstanding concerns’ that practices led by BAME partners were more likely to receive lower ratings and said it was planning to collect the data as it develops its new registration information collection.
Chief inspector of primary care Dr Rosie Benneyworth said: ‘We know that there are longstanding concerns that GP practices which are led by black or minority ethnic GPs are more likely to receive lower ratings.
‘We understand how important these concerns are and while we don’t currently collect ethnicity data of GPs, we are planning to do so as we develop our new registration information collection.’
She added: ‘We want to monitor ethnicity so that we have better data to see whether this could be a factor in ratings, as well as the type or location of a practice.’
The news comes as the BMA has launched a new forum for BAME doctors, to better advocate for their interests, and to address structural racism and inequalities that it said have worsened during the pandemic.
The forum will also offer ‘allyship training’ for non-BAME members, designed to improve understanding of the experiences of those facing discrimination.
During the first wave in the UK, more than 90% of doctors who died were from a BAME background, although they make up only 40% of the profession, the BMA highlighted.
A version of this article was first published by Pulse’s sister title Management in Practice
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Dear Collegues, don’t trust ANYTHING the CQC does or says. But you know that, I’m sure.