Barriers

There are significant health and social inequalities linked to race and culture. Positive action is needed to redress this worsening trend. 

Barriers may include:

• poor experience of health and social care services and professionals that are not culturally sensitive or aware 
• lack of accessible information or culturally appropriate services, staff or volunteers
• language barriers and misunderstanding about for example medical terms. This is common with some learning disabilities and mental health problems
• stigma surrounding particular types of ill health and disability. Differing views and attitudes among the health and social care worker and the person needing care could impact upon treatment and support given.

Barriers to health and social care could result in carers taking on further responsibilities in the absence of adequate support.

The preceding information is adapted from the Barriers to health care page of The Children’s Society’s Refugee Toolkit. 

For more information about thinking about barriers, see:

• The health of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK, a report created by the Race Equality Foundation 
• Black and minority ethnic parents with mental health problems and their children, a report by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)