Ethnic minorities' experience of health services in the Covid-19 pandemic
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Healthwatch organisations across North East London undertook research on the experiences of ethnic minority communities using health and care services during the Covid-19 pandemic. They analysed 1,682 comments from people who stated their ethnicity, received between March 2020 and October 2021, to understand how different communities experienced GP services, hospitals, mental health services and social care.
The report found that the pandemic had a generally negative impact on experiences of health and social care services. People from Black ethnic backgrounds reported poorer experiences of hospital services than other groups, particularly in relation to communication, staff attitudes and waiting times, although they were as positive as White British respondents about the quality of treatment and nursing care. Asian patients generally reported more positive experiences of GP services, particularly regarding staff attitudes and quality of care, although they were more likely to express concerns about appointment booking and waiting times.
People from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds also reported poorer experiences of mental health services than White respondents. Common concerns included long waits for support, difficulties accessing services remotely, cancelled appointments and the impact of the pandemic on mental wellbeing. The report highlighted how language barriers, digital exclusion, unfamiliarity with NHS processes and wider health inequalities could make it harder for some ethnic minority communities to access care and navigate services.
Feedback on social care services was broadly similar across ethnic groups, although participants described concerns about communication, involvement in care planning and reduced support during the pandemic. The report concluded that existing inequalities had been amplified by Covid-19 and highlighted the need for improved communication, more accessible services, better mental health support and greater recognition of the specific barriers faced by ethnic minority communities when accessing health and care services.