Department of Health criticised for failure on race

The Commission for Racial Equality launched a scathing attack today on the Department of Health for its failure to assess any of its policies for their impact on ethnic minorities.

CRE director of policy and public sector Nick Johnson (pictured) said there was “no excuse” for the DH’s failure, particularly given the well-documented health inequalities based on race.

The CRE has threatened to use its formal investigative powers against the DH unless it can explain why it has not carried out any race equality impact assessments, which are required under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

The CRE wrote to the DH on 11 August giving it 21 working days to respond. An unsatisfactory response would prompt a CRE investigation, whose recommendations would be legally enforceable.