Posted on Wed 26 Oct 2011

As part of the Future Forum Phase 2 Engagement, Chief Executive of the Race Equality Foundation Ratna Dutt hosted a meeting to focus upon black and minority ethnic perspectives on the wide-ranging health and social care changes.  Special emphasis was given to the role of the NHS in the public’s health, and key points were made around existing best practice models of co-production between the voluntary and community sector and NHS Clinicians.  There was recognition of the difficulties many individuals have in accessing information and services, and emphasis on the importance of employing appropriate and effective communication strategies.  Solutions included information, training and education. 

A report highlighting the learning from this and other meetings will be fed directly back to the Future Forum by Ratna Dutt.  This will be available on the Future Forum project pages from November.

Present at the meeting were representatives from Positive East, Foundations UK, Carers UK, Afiya Trust, the Mental Health Providers Forum, Westminster BME Health forum and OBAC (Organisation for Blind African and Caribbeans).   A member of the Department of Health Future Forum listening team was also present.