§ Lord Chanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether ethnic monitoring will be introduced in primary care so that National Health Service professionals will know who are their patients and potential patients. [HL1920]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThere are currently no plans to make ethnic monitoring mandatory in primary care. However, the Department of Health has, through sponsorship of pilot projects, developed several examples of good practice in primary care race equality monitoring, including ethnicity, and has encouraged the sharing of this experience. Primary care trusts (PCTs) and primary care groups, through their work in developing local health improvement and modernisation plans (HIMPs), continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the diversity of local needs,94WA including those of minority ethnic groups, are identified. With the shift in the balance of power to the frontline and the formation of strategic health authorities, PCTs will from next year lead the development of local HIMPs and be the main focus for partnership working with key stakeholders. HIMPs inform local healthcare professionals on the concerns and priorities within a community of all local agencies as well as the public and patients who use NHS services. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act will also require PCTs to monitor the implementation of policies and programmes to ensure they meet the needs of ethnic minorities and promote good race relations between different racial groups. The Government's overall strategy to improve the nation's health will lead to a more positive effect on minority ethnic health.