RCP responds to Workplace Race Equality Standard (WRES): Indicators for the NHS medical workforce.
Commenting on the publication of the Workplace Race Equality Standard (WRES): Indicators for the NHS medical workforce last week (7 September), RCP president Professor Andrew Goddard said:
“Far too often we see examples of discrimination in medicine so I am delighted to see the publication of the new WRES indicators for doctors by the NHS.
“The mandatory gathering, monitoring and publishing of this data will help to lay bare the facts behind the all-too-frequent stories of inequality. I am committed to the RCP playing an active role and see this as a positive step in moving the needle towards making medicine an inclusive place for all.”
This new iteration of the WRES outlines the rationale for these bespoke indicators for the NHS medical workforce and explains how they will work. A full set of data against these indicators will be analysed and presented as part of the annual WRES data report for NHS trusts later this year.
The WRES was introduced in 2015 to ensure employees from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds have equal access to career opportunities and receive fair treatment in the workplace.
An annual survey by the RCP in 2018 of physicians doing their certificate of completion of specialist training (CCT) found that those of white British ethnicity applied for fewer posts but were more likely to be short-listed and to be offered a post. The college is pleased to see that ‘Likelihood of being short-listed and appointed to a consultant post’ is one of the new indicators and is already working to realise improvements in this area.
This year the RCP commissioned an independent review into diversity and inclusion and has accepted its 29 recommendations.