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IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE SCOTTISH MINORITY ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
PREFACE
On behalf of the Steering Group and the staff of the National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health (NRCEMH) it is our honour to present this joint report. The report records the legal, policy and organisational context within which a programme of exciting work is underway in NHSScotland to improve the health care of Scotland's minority ethnic communities.
It is our view that, building on a previous foundation of goodwill, rapid progress is being made towards an ambitious goal an equitable health service. This is merely the beginning of a long-term strategic initiative. Given the substantial challenges identified in earlier studies, particularly the Fair For All (FFA) Stocktake carried out in 2000 which assessed the policies of Health Boards with regard to race equality, we can be pleased with the clear signs of change and positive approaches to the issue of ethnicity and health.
In much of NHSScotland there are now formal Action Plans in place. The implementation phase will prove even tougher than the planning phase. Nonetheless, given a collective and cooperative endeavour by NHSScotland, with the support of the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD), and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), we predict steady progress and ultimate success.
The underlying philosophy of the NRCEMH is based on the principle of community partnership we are therefore delighted that individuals and organisations from the minority ethnic community sector are now beginning to contribute to the agenda. We would like to thank them for this and hope to encourage even greater participation in the coming year.
We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the unflinching hard work of our colleagues, the support of many individuals and organisations and the efforts of policy makers and legislators. We are sure those who have made the work reported here possible, will find some reason to be satisfied.
Prof. Raj Bhopal
Convenor | Dr Rafik Gardee
Director |
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