NRCEMH - FAQ

What is the NRCEMH?: NRCEMH stands for National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health. The NRCEMH is a major component of the Scottish Executive's commitment to improving the health of Scotland's minority ethnic groups.

Why was the NRCEMH established?

The NRCEMH is founded by the Scottish Executive to support NHS Scotland, particularly the NHS Boards to:

What is the minority ethnic health agenda?: The minority ethnic health agenda aims to tackle those inequalities in health that are experienced by minority ethnic groups. This includes the factors which can affect anyone, such as poverty, poor living conditions and low educational attainment, and those which specifically affect people from minority ethnic groups, such as language difficulties, racism and a general lack of understanding of cultural issues.

What is the aim of the NRCEMH?: The NRCEMH aims to support the implementation of the Race Equality Schemes and Fair For All Action Plans in Scotland, which will enable a health service to develop which recognises and respects diversity, is free from discrimination and is fair for all, both in the services and employment opportunities it provides.

What does the NRCEMH do?: The NRCEMH works as a catalyst in the delivery of the minority ethnic health agenda, encouraging open discussion, offering practical advice and facilitating a creative, innovative environment.

What has the NRCEMH achieved so far?

To date, the NRCEMH’s achievements include:

Assisting all Health Boards and Trusts in Scotland to develop their Race Equality Schemes and Fair for All Action Plans
Developing a working partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
Establishing a number of working groups to look at priority issues and how they impact upon minority ethnic groups, including community development, mental health and cancer
Highlighting gaps in service provision for Gypsy/Travellers and Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Developing a strategy to improve the knowledge, attitudes and skills of NHS staff so they are equipped to deliver culturally-appropriate, culturally-competent services
Playing an important role in the implementation of ethnic monitoring
Focusing on those diseases and conditions which appear to affect a higher proportion of people from minority ethnic groups, such as diabetes and haemoglobinpathies.

How is the NRCEMH managed and staffed?

The NRCEMH is staffed by a Director, four Project Managers and two Project Secretaries.
The NRCEMH is guided by a Steering Group.
The Director of the NRCEMH is Dr Rafik Gardee, who reports to the Chief Executive of NHS Health Scotland.

The Project Managers focus on the NRCEMH’s main components of:

Various NHS professionals have been seconded to the NRCEMH to assist with the development of specific services.