The British Medical Association (BMA) has demanded an explanation from the government following reports that pages containing recommendations to protect Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, including disabled people were removed from last week’s Covid-19 disparity report.
In a letter sent to health secretary Matt Hancock, shared exclusively with the Guardian newspaper, the head of the BMA called for the missing pages and recommendations to be published immediately.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE, the BMA council chair, noted his concern over reports that 69 pages covering seven recommendations were removed from last week’s Public Health England’s report.
“I’m finding it inexplicable the government did not release the full report at a time not only when the BAME community suffered so disproportionately with the virus, but also at a time when there was global outcry and outrage to racial inequalities,” Nagpaul said.
In the letter, the BMA’s chair wrote: “A clear response is needed as to why these pages and important recommendations were omitted from publication, especially when it is so critical that action is taken to save lives now and reduce race inequalities.”
Yet another example of this government conveniently ‘losing’ important information when it’s needed most (see my previous Blogs relating to missing, amended and shredded documents regarding disabled people). What next I wonder?!
Description of cartoon for those using screen reading software
A large group of disabled people representing a wide range of impairments and ethnic diversities are standing behind a large banner that reads ‘Black lives matter’. The word ‘disabled’ has been added at the front of the lettering. A lot of the people are raising a clenched fist salute.
Crippen Cartoons 