Nearly three quarters of NHS staff who have died from coronavirus are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Latest figures ...
Nearly three quarters of NHS staff who have died from coronavirus are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Latest figures show that 111 health and social care workers have been killed by the virus, and the overwhelming majority of these have been from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
People from such backgrounds make up 44 per cent of doctors in the NHS and 24 per cent of nurses. But analysis by Sky News found 72 per cent of fatalities among health and social care workers were from these minorities.
Pictured: The NHS workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic, above and below
The Government has launched an investigation into the 'devastating disparity' which means BAME patients are at disproportionately high risk of becoming critically ill with coronavirus.
Latest NHS England figures show that of the 16,272 people who have died in hospital, 18 per cent are BAME. But they make up only 15 per cent of the general population in England. Scientists say the disparity may be because they are more likely to suffer from conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Social and demographic factors also play a role, as BAME people are more likely to live in densely populated areas which may make social distancing harder. The British Medical Association (BMA) also suggested that BAME doctors may feel less able to raise concerns about inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), as they report higher levels of bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Latest figures show that 111 health and social care workers have been killed by the virus, and the overwhelming majority of these have been from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA chairman, said a survey showed doctors from ethnic minorities were three times more likely to feel pressured to treat patients without adequate PPE.
He said: 'These figures are staggering. They are worrying and disturbing. In fact these doctors have come from other parts of the world to provide vital care and save other people's lives in our health service and now they have sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice.' Among those to die are NHS consultant Dr Medhat Atalla, 62, who had devoted his life to treating the elderly across three continents.
Dr Atalla, who was described as a 'very special human being' and a 'real NHS hero', died on Tuesday at Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he worked as a geriatrician. The father of one moved to Britain from Egypt almost 20 years ago and has treated patients across the North of England.
The Government has launched an investigation into the 'devastating disparity' which means BAME patients are at disproportionately high risk of becoming critically ill with coronavirus
rofessor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said: 'It's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them'
The first ten doctors in the UK to die from coronavirus were all of BAME background, with many born overseas. They included Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, a retired doctor who had returned to the NHS to help fight coronavirus. Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53, died three weeks after writing to the Prime Minister asking him to 'urgently' ensure PPE was available for 'each and every NHS worker in the UK'.
Dr Habib Naqvi, the NHS director for workforce race and equality, said: 'The fact that a high number of black and minority ethnic staff are dying from this pandemic is a worry for us.'
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said: 'It's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them.'
A Department of Health spokesman said: 'We have commissioned work from Public Health England to understand the different factors that may influence the way someone is affected by this virus.'
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