Pilot sites will address racism in mental health care
Black people are more likely to receive multiple medicines than
white people |
Seventeen pilot sites across England will pioneer best practice in eliminating racial discrimination in mental health services, the Department of Health announced last week.
The sites will support the implementation of “Delivering race equality
in mental health care”, an action plan for reducing inequalities
in black and minority ethnic patients’ experience of mental health
services, published by the DoH in January.
Peter Pratt, chief pharmacist of Sheffield Care Trust and Doncaster and
South Humber NHS Trust, told The Journal that there is work to be done
to address discrimination in mental health care. However, he believes
that much can achieved by implementing existing guidance. “By ensuring
drug treatment is in accordance with current basic principals of good
practice pharmacists can play their part in preventing discrimination
in mental health,” he said.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence recently issued guidance
on the short-term
management of disturbed or violent behaviour (PJ, 26
February, p224). Mr Pratt said that this guidance reminds pharmacists
that people from some ethnic groups may be at a higher risk of receiving
inappropriate drugs or doses. “By following these recommendations,
which include having a specialist pharmacist as part of the team who
use rapid tranquillisation, we can also help prevent discrimination from
happening,” he said.
David Taylor, chief pharmacist, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust,
said that there are many drug-related aspects to race in mental health.
He said that at least one UK study suggests that polypharmacy is more
common in black people than white people. “Pharmacy staff should
be making sure
that different racial groups are prescribed
[medicines] to the same standard, taking into account differences in
metabolism and body weight,” he added. He also pointed out that
certain racial groups may be more prone to some adverse effects, particularly
diabetes, and pharmacists should ensure that monitoring of adverse effects
is equal between races.
Patient choice is another important area. The NICE guidance states that
patients should make an informed contribution to the choice of their
antipsychotic. Mr Pratt commented: “The lack of written information
in an appropriate format and language means that some people will not
have the opportunity to develop advance directives or have a meaningful
involvement in their choice of treatment.”
The pilot sites will be asked to develop project plans by the end of
May. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader