‘Anti-whiteness’ will not be tolerated in NHS diversity programmes, Streeting says

Wes Streeting has defended diversity programmes within the NHS, but said anti-whiteness” would not be tolerated.

- RACHEL CLUN KATE DEVLIN

The health secretary also hit out at what he called “ideological hobby horses” which he said had no place in the health service.

Speaking at an event to mark World Cancer Day yesterday, he said that one member of NHS staff had tweeted that “part of her practice was anti-whiteness”.

“And I just thought, ‘What the hell does that say to the bloke up in Wigan who’s more likely to die earlier than his more affluent white counterparts down in London?’” he said.

“We’ve got real issues of inequality that affect white workingclass people.”

He defended diversity and inclusion programmes, emphasising their importance at a time when black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

But he added: “Sometimes there are some really daft things being done in the name of equality, diversity and inclusion which undermine the cause.”

Speaking to The Independent, the head of a leading cancer charity warned cancer care in England currently disadvantages those from minority backgrounds and those with disabilities.

Macmillan chief executive Gemma Peters said there was a “huge variation” in what cancer care looked like across the country.

“From when you’re diagnosed, what treatments you’re offered, how you’re supported, when we get it right we do it really brilliantly in this country, but there are so many people that are just falling through the gaps,” she said.