Risk reduction framework for BAME staff developed

A working group of experts has produced a ‘risk reduction framework’ which practices can use to support the redeployment of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds away from the frontline, due to their increased risk from coronavirus.

Pulse reported last month that NHS England had asked practices to start ‘risk assessing’ their BAME staff on the basis of emerging evidence that they may be at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.  

The team recommends redeployment of high-risk staff to ‘lower risk environments’ and says primary care staff could be redirected to non-patient-facing roles or that avoid direct contact in hot hubs.

It said practices should make ‘appropriate arrangements’ to protect their staff, such as ‘working remotely or in a lower-risk area’.

The risk reduction framework, developed by Professor Kamlesh Khunti, professor of primary care diabetes and vascular medicine at the University of Leicester, and other experts is published on the Faculty of Occupational Medicine website.

It states: ‘[Considerations] may include redeployment of those deemed at highest risk of adverse outcomes such as redeployment to lower risk environments. 

‘In primary care, roles which are not directly patient-facing are emerging and could be used as redeployment opportunities, or measures such as avoiding direct contact in hot hubs might be appropriate precautions.’

‘Supportive’ conversations around deployment between staff and managers should ‘take into account staff concerns and preferences’, it added.

Other measures include reducing the risk in the workplace through ‘safe systems of work’, correct use of PPE and hygiene measures, as well as identifying staff that are at higher risk.

Factors to be considered include age, sex, underlying health conditions or co-morbidities, pregnancy, disabilities and ethnicity, according to the framework.

NHS England and the BMA have proposed practices consider remote working or ‘buddying’ within PCNs to ensure BAME staff are protected. NHS England confirmed last week that NHS Employers is pulling together guidance on risk assessment for BAME staff, which all providers have been asked to carry out.

NHS England primary care medical director Dr Nikki Kanani said specific guidance would be produced on stratifying risk across the primary care team.

Public Health England is expected to publish the results of a rapid review into whether people of BAME backgrounds are more adversely affected by Covid-19 at the end of the month.

Source

Faculty of Occupational Medicine. Risk Reduction Framework for NHS staff at risk of COVID-19 infection 12 May 2020