ARCHIVE 6th July 2020: Covid and BME populations

New @IndependentSage report on COVID19 & BME populations just released. The report was led by the brilliant @kamleshkhunti & @Zubhaque and makes some concrete recommendations including these short term ones:

https://www.independentsage.org/disparities-in-the-impact-of-covid-19-in-black-and- minority-ethnic-populations-review-of-the-evidence-and-recommendations-for-action/ 1/5

1.  Occupational risk assessments for all staff and PPE provision for all workers in public facing roles

2.  2.A tailored Find, Test, Trace, Isolate, Support (FTTIS) Programme to ensure it reaches marginalised and BME communties 2/5

3.  Increase social security safety net and remove barriers for migrants accessing essential benefits

4.  Provide more housing (e.g. hotels, B&Bs and community shelters) and emergency financial support for necessary isolation during COVID-19 3/5

5.  Reverse NHS charges for all new migrants and all levels of workers in the NHS, and remove all data-sharing obligations between NHS and the Home Office

6.  Mandatory data on ethnic background in all health and social care contexts 4/5

7.  Undertake and publish all equality impact assessments on previous and new government measures in relation to COVID-19

8.  NHS Trusts need to undertake an independent review of racial inequalities and discrimination in the NHS 5/5