According to a review, employees at a mental health facility have encountered "racial inequalities.".
Following complaints about its culture, practices, and treatment, Park House at North Manchester General Hospital came under scrutiny.
During the review, it was discovered that racism "was present within cultural and social structures, systems, and within our organization.".
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement of "true regret" and promised to take appropriate action.
Eight adult inpatient wards at Park House provide assessment and care for people with mental health needs, including those who are voluntary patients as well as those who are being held under the Mental Health Act.
The review discovered that employees of different ethnic backgrounds believed they had fewer career advancement opportunities, which led to a lack of representation in senior leadership positions.
Additionally, they experienced a sense of unease as a result of racial abuse by patients that went unaddressed, which made them lose faith in the system.
The staff claimed that they had received disproportionate discipline at higher rates than their white counterparts and that they had been unable to voice their concerns for fear of them going unheard or of facing retaliation.
It also revealed that workers from diverse ethnic backgrounds felt excluded and unwelcome on the whole.
Bill McCarthy, the trust's chairman, and Neil Thwaite, its chief executive, said in a joint statement that it was "clear from the evidence we have that our ethnically-diverse staff have experienced inequalities in the form of racism.".
They declared, "We acknowledge that racism is not only based on individual bias but is also present within cultural and social structures and systems as well as within institutions.
"It takes constant vigilance and attention to cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion for all. .
"The existence of these disparities within our organization is unacceptable. " .
Furthermore, they pledged to transform their organization into an anti-racist one, saying: "We are making a clear and unequivocal statement that we will not tolerate racism and discrimination in our organization. " .
Although this review concentrated on Park House, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Staff Network chair Fran Fenton stated that "we know that people in other areas report the same experiences.".
Although the anti-racism statement is strong, it is still only a statement. We now need to take action and bring about the change.
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