BLACK, Asian and other ethnic minority workers on the front line may have to change the way they work as emerging evidence suggests they face a higher risk of death if they contract coronavirus.

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff may be moved away from face-to-face consultations and some may need to wear more personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimise their exposure to the virus.

A review by Public Health England into the impact of COVID-19 on front line workers from ethnic minority backgrounds is currently underway.

This comes as data shows a disproportionate number of deaths from coronavirus among BME health and social care workers.

But the Bolton NHS clinical commissioning group (CCG) board was told the health care system must act now to protect its BME members of staff.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chair of Bolton CCG, has been asked to produce guidance for GP practices across Greater Manchester relating to BME employees.

He said: “There’s strong evidence emerging that there’s a disproportionate impact on our BME workforce and there’s a national inquiry in place.

“But the evidence is such that we can’t wait for the national inquiry. I think we need to take action now.

“Talking to the various leaders in the system, I think everybody agrees that this is a BME issue. We need to take steps to protect our communities now.

“The guidance will help organisations to have conversations with their staff.

“It may be that some adjustments need to be made to the workplace.

“Risk assessments will have to be made. They may have to move away from face-to-face consultation and they need more PPE.”

Dr Bhatiani will present his report with guidance for GP practices to the Greater Manchester Joint Commissioning Board on Tuesday.

He explained that ethnicity is one of five main factors affecting the risk of coronavirus, alongside age, underlying conditions, pregnancy, gender.

Bolton Council’s director of public health, Helen Lowey, said that other health conditions and deprivation could also be factors contributing to BME deaths.

But she said something else could be happening that is linked to ethnicity.

She said: “It’s still emerging and we don’t have a full comprehensive picture. What we’re looking at though, in relation to the BME population, is from a national perspective.

“It’s multi-factorial and it effects different groups differently but there is still a disproportionate impact on BME.

“We’re really looking into the science and evidence into this. It’s emerging information and we keep looking at the data.

“There’s increased risk of particular health conditions and there could be something else happening as well.”

Clinical director of commissioning, Dr Helen Wall, added: “We do need to risk assess everyone, not just our BME communities. I think as NHS and social care workers we are very good at putting patients first and we are not always good at recognising that we do have some level of risk ourselves.”