Disability, discrimination disadvantage with University of Bristol

Healthwatch Bristol were approached by Dr Joseph Hartland about the work they were doing with First Year Medical Students on the topics of Diversity, Discrimination and Disadvantage (known as 3D at the medical school). The University is keen to work with the public and 3rd sector so that our future doctors do not have pre-conceptions or unconscious bias around people from equalities/seldom heard backgrounds, such as BAME, LGBTQ+ Disabled or Disadvantaged groups of the population.

Healthwatch Bristol run a event across two days. The first event took place on 28 November, which was for BAME patients to talk about their experiences of the health and social care system. On 30 November there was a day for carers, which coincided with “International Carer’s Rights Day.” Students were given a presentation by Healthwatch Bristol about the needs of carers and were shown videos of young carers and carers working with older people.

As a result of this work, around ninety students who did not previously know about the work of Healthwatch took leaflets and information away around the work that we do. They will be able to use this in practice around patient participation.