'Denying race bias exists in the MHS is damaging to everyone'

摘要

Fifty years ago women were less likely to be appointed to senior NHS jobs than men. It was deemed perfectly acceptable to ask women at interview if they planned to have children and, if so, to not employ or promote them. Women were paid less and got smaller bonus payments for doing the same job. It wasn't seen as discrimination; women just weren't as "good" as men. All sorts of explanations were given why such discrimination was appropriate or wasn't really discrimination at all. We were told employers should appoint and pay people on merit, not on gender. It just so happened men were better. We all hold prejudices. They come from families, friends, schools, communities and the media. When prejudices turn into discrimination, it leads to unfair treatment. Fifty years ago NHS discrimination against women, black and minority ethnic and Irish nurses, doctors and cleaners was common, although many people denied it existed or justified it.