The BMA, which called on the government to investigate the high level of deaths among healthcare workers from a BAME background last weekend, welcomed the review. However, BMA chair said that steps needed to be taken immediately to protect BAME communities 'until we can develop a detailed understanding of the threats they face'.
He said that this could include ensuring that those most at risk, such as older and retired doctors, were not working in high-risk and potentially infectious settings.
The majority of healthcare workers who have died from COVID-19 appear to have come from a BAME background, including the three GPs who have died during the pandemic.
On Thursday health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that there had been 27 deaths of NHS staff from COVID-19, however media reports have put the figure significantly higher. Analysis of figures by Sky News this week suggested that 54 frontline healthcare staff have died in England and Wales from COVID-19 and 70% of these staff had a BAME background.
Comments