Responding to Lord Mann’s review into antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS Centre for Mental Health chief executive Andy Bell said:
“Racism is toxic to mental health. It is deeply entrenched in our society. It causes enormous harm to people from racialised communities, including significant traumas that can last for lifetimes and across generations. We need determined leadership to stamp it out.
“Antisemitism is a harmful form of racism that has a unique history. It is vital it is acknowledged as such, and is considered of equal seriousness as other forms of racism. Tackling antisemitism needs to be an integral part of initiatives to tackle racism in the NHS.
Racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia affect the everyday lives of people from racialised communities in the UK. From school or workplace discrimination to violent attacks and riots on our streets, they threaten people’s safety, freedom and health.
“NHS patients and staff must be better protected against all forms of racism. Racism has no place in the NHS or any public service. Racial injustice shapes too many people’s experiences of public services, and racial violence leads to fear and exclusion in communities across the country.
“The NHS in England has adopted the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework to enable it to dismantle racism in mental health services. That will benefit all mental health service users and workers alike. The Government must ensure that the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework is sustained for as long as it is needed to bring about systemic change. The Mann report recommendations to publish a new NHS Staff Standard focused on tackling racism, provide national guidance for employers to tackle discrimination, and for the NHS to adopt the NHS Race and Health Observatory seven anti-racism principles will further support the dismantling of racism in the NHS, and we welcome these recommendations.
“The Government’s new mental health strategy will also be a chance to embed anti-racism in its plans to improve mental health and strengthen mental health services.
“We call on all political leaders to commit to end racism and racial injustice. Doing so will help to build a mentally healthier, fairer and more equal society for us all.”
