The Royal College of Psychiatrists is committed to race equality
in the promotion and practice of psychiatry by the eradication of
unlawful discrimination; the promotion of equal opportunities and
the promotion of good race relations with respect to its role as an
employer, in the development and implementation of the standards
and practice for psychiatrists and in the development and
implementation of College policies and procedures.
As part of this commitment the College will not tolerate any
racially discriminatory behaviour through the application of its
policies, procedures and standards or in the behaviour of its
staff, members, associates or trainees. Contractors will also be
expected to follow the commitment of the College to race equality
and to support the fulfilment of its duties under the Race
Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
The commitment to race equality is consistent with the corporate
aims as set out by the Royal Charter and will build upon the ten
recommendations in Council report CR92
'Report of the Ethnic Issues Project Group' (February
2001).
In order to assist in embedding this into the structures and
culture of the organisation two key recommendations have already
been enacted, the establishment of an Ethnic Issues Committee and
commissioning of an external audit of College structures.
While recognising that this is a long-term process it will begin
through the development of work programmes during 2002/2003 to
address the following:
- Having a policy of zero tolerance regarding racial harassment
by or between members, associates, trainees and staff.
- Ensuring that core training and education of members,
associates and trainees includes capability in race and culture
issues
- Ensuring that Black and minority ethnic members, trainees and
associates have access to and are able to fully benefit from all
functions of the College
- Taking action to support members in ensuring that Black and
minority ethnic service users and carers have access to mental
health services
- Establishing and sustaining effective consultation and
engagement with Black and minority ethnic user and carer
groups
- Promoting awareness of the potential for discrimination in use
of Mental Health legislation
- Ensuring that all research directed or influenced by the
College takes appropriate account of race and culture
- Ensuring race equality is an integral part of College
monitoring and quality assurance policies, procedures and
standards.
All staff, members and associates are expected to actively
support these recommendations. The College Council will ensure that
this statement and the work plans and framework referred to within
it are developed, implemented and monitored on an annual basis.
July 2002