A PACKAGE of measures aimed at increasing the number of ethnic minority staff in the NHS has been announced by the Government.
The NHS Executive North West will be setting targets for the recruitment of Asian, black and other minority ethnic staff in a bid to ensure hospitals reflect the community they serve.
Health Minister John Denham also announced a joint agreement with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals aimed at increasing the number of Asian, black and minority ethnic students on professional healthcare education courses, including degrees.
The moves were taken after it was found that only 1.4pc of NHS nursing staff are Asian, compared with 4pc of Asian people in the general working population. Only 1.6pc of students on nursing degrees are from Asian backgrounds.
Mr Denham said: "If we are to build a modern and patient-centred NHS we need to ensure that the staff are drawn from all sections of society and that they are all offered support and opportunities to develop their full potential."
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