BMJ 1998;316:1977 ( 27 June )

Letters

Racial discrimination in distinction awards

    Discrimination is probably indirect
    Awards system is fair as possible
    NHS monitoring of discrimination should be more transparent
    Analysis should be standardised for age
    Authors' reply
    Disparity is due to institutional discrimination
    Vested interest prevents true debate
    Awards perpetuate bias against generalism
    GPs should get awards too
    Money could be better spent on more consultant posts
    Author's reply

Discrimination is probably indirect

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR---Esmail et al attribute disparity between white and non-white award holders to discrimination.1 Existence of direct discrimination in some spheres of the NHS does not imply it also affects distinction awards. The regional and central advisory committees on distinction awards are beyond reproach. Rubin's suggestion that several other factors may explain the skewed distributions is more plausible.2 Disparity between groups of consultants is inevitable because of differences in abilities, training, and opportunities.

The Commission for Racial Equality held that the criteria laid down for distinction awards could, however, result in indirect discrimination, not necessarily with discriminatory intent. For example, the weight given to work of national and international significance may make the awards less accessible to those in smaller district general hospitals or specialties, where ethnic minority consultants may be concentrated. The Department of Health has therefore issued criteria placing less emphasis on national and international recognition and . . . [Full text of this article]
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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Joseph, A. E A (2001). All NHS consultants must have equal entitlement to awards. BMJ 322: 1249a-1249 [Full text]  
  • McKenzie, K. (1999). Something borrowed from the blues?. BMJ 318: 616-617 [Full text]  
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