Report urges 'NHS racism' curbs

Institutional racism is a "blot upon the good name of the NHS", a report on the death of a black patient has said.

An inquiry said the failure to give ethnic minority people proper mental health care was a "festering abscess".

It follows the death of schizophrenic patient David Bennett in 1998, after he was restrained at a clinic in Norwich.

His sister, Dr Joanna Bennett, called for action against staff involved in her brother's "brutal" death and new measures to protect other patients.

Mr Bennett, 38, collapsed after he was held face down for 25 minutes after hitting another patient - who went on to attack and racially abuse him - and punching a female nurse.

In a statement, Health Secretary Dr John Reid admitted "discrimination" existed in the NHS and added that he was committed to improving mental health services.

Source : BBC News | More Information