The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Accessing Care

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We need a three pronged approach. One is from the clinical side so we report how we can how care is accessed by race and ethnicity. We also need to look at the satisfaction that patients and public have when they have access care. And lastly in terms of education an understanding of the challenges that women from ethnic minority backgrounds face should be part of medical midwife free and nursing curriculum.

Experts and campaigners have been pointing out the racial disparities in maternal healthcare for years. The latest report to highlight the issue comes from the House of Commons women and equalities committee. MPs behind the report have condemned the government’s failure to address the gulf in outcomes. So why are black and Asian women still more at risk from childbirth? Madeleine Finlay hears what it can be like to navigate the maternity system as a woman of colour, and speaks to Guardian health editor Andrew Gregory and Prof Shakila Thangaratinam about what lies behind the statistics and what can be done. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod