Discrimination in Health and Social Care: Types and Preventions

Discrimination Can Happen in Health and Social Care

clendar May 06, 2025

clendar 10 minutes

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Health and social care services are designed to support individuals at every stage of life. These services are expected to provide fair, respectful, and person-centred care. However, discrimination can still occur, creating barriers to access, treatment, and support.

Discrimination in health and social care negatively impacts both the quality of care and the wellbeing of individuals. It can lead to serious harm—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This blog breaks down what discrimination means in this setting, the types, the legal protections in place, and how it can be prevented.

A deeper understanding of discrimination is essential not just for compliance but to deliver ethical, safe, and compassionate care. This understanding also helps ensure that every person’s dignity is respected, regardless of their background or circumstances.

What is Discrimination in Health and Social Care?

Discrimination in health and social care is when a person is treated unfairly or unequally based on certain personal characteristics. These include things like age, race, gender, or disability.

This unfair treatment can affect how people receive services, how they are spoken to, or how decisions about their care are made. It might be obvious, such as refusing care, or subtle, like making assumptions that affect the quality of support.

Even unconscious attitudes can result in biased behaviour that harms individuals. That’s why it’s important for care workers to actively challenge their own assumptions and stay aware of the legal and moral duties they hold.

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Types of Discrimination in Health and Social Care

Discrimination in health and social care includes treating people unfairly because of who they are. It can be direct, indirect, or linked to a disability. Not making needed changes, bullying, or punishing someone for complaining are also wrong. These actions are illegal, and organisations must stop them and support everyone fairly.

Direct Discrimination

Direct discrimination happens when someone is treated worse than others because of who they are. In health and social care, this might look like:

– A doctor refusing to treat a transgender patient.

– A care worker giving less attention to a patient because of their ethnicity.

– Denying someone a service because they are pregnant.

It is deliberate and obvious. It is also illegal under the Equality Act 2010.

This kind of discrimination is the easiest to identify and challenge. Organisations must have zero-tolerance policies in place and take immediate disciplinary action when direct discrimination occurs.

Indirect Discrimination

Indirect discrimination is when rules, policies, or procedures apply to everyone but disadvantage certain people.

Examples include:

– A clinic that only offers appointments during working hours, which may disadvantage single parents or those observing religious times.

– A care home with a “no head coverings” rule that impacts individuals of certain faiths.

It might not be intentional, but it is still discrimination if the rule puts someone at a disadvantage unfairly.

Reviewing workplace policies regularly can help identify these risks. Involving diverse voices during decision-making also prevents overlooking how certain rules might exclude some groups.

Discrimination Arising from Disability

Sometimes, a person is treated unfairly not just because they are disabled but because of something connected to their disability.

For example:

– A patient with autism who is overwhelmed by bright lights and noise is asked to leave the waiting room.

– A person with a mental health condition is denied a service because of behaviour linked to their condition.

This type of discrimination is illegal unless the treatment can be justified as a necessary and proportionate way to achieve a legitimate aim.

This means that organisations must explore all reasonable alternatives before limiting someone’s care or access. Assumptions based on discomfort or stigma are not justification under the law.

Failure to Make Reasonable Adjustments

Health and social care providers have a duty to remove barriers that disabled people face. This includes making reasonable adjustments.

Examples include:

– Providing documents in braille.

– Offering wheelchair access.

– Allowing longer appointment times for patients who need them.

Failure to do so is discriminatory under the Equality Act. These adjustments are often simple, but they make a huge difference.

The concept of “reasonable” is based on factors like cost, resources, and practicality, but it does not excuse inaction. Adjustments should be anticipated, not only made in response to complaints.

Harassment and Victimisation

Harassment is unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated.

In health and social care, this could be:

– Mocking a patient’s accent.

– Making jokes about someone’s gender identity.

Victimisation occurs when someone is treated badly for making a complaint about discrimination or supporting someone who has.

An example:

– A nurse who supports a colleague’s discrimination claim is ignored by the team or denied a promotion.

Both are forms of discrimination and are not acceptable under the law.

It’s important for organisations to foster a culture where speaking up is encouraged and protected, not punished. Staff must know their rights and where to go when these issues arise.

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Protected Characteristics Under the Equality Act 2010

There are nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination based on any of these is unlawful:

Age – Young or old, everyone is protected.
Disability – Covers physical and mental conditions.
Gender reassignment – Protects transgender people.
Marriage and civil partnership – Includes protection in certain employment situations.
Pregnancy and maternity – Applies during pregnancy and after birth.
Race – Includes colour, nationality, and ethnic origin.
Religion or belief – Covers major religions and philosophical beliefs.
Sex – Male or female.
Sexual orientation – Includes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual individuals.

These characteristics form the legal basis for protection in healthcare and social care environments.

Understanding these protected characteristics helps care professionals recognise when discrimination might be occurring and what forms it may take. It also reinforces the need for respectful, inclusive behaviour at all times.

How and When Discrimination Can Happen

Discrimination in health and social care can happen in patient care, between staff, or through unfair policies. It includes ignoring patients, bias in decisions, or not meeting staff needs. Even unintentional actions can harm. Respect, inclusion, and reviewing rules often help create a fair, supportive, and equal environment for everyone.

In Patient Care

Discrimination in patient care can happen through attitudes, assumptions, or decisions.

Examples:

– Speaking only to a patient’s carer and ignoring the patient.

– Assuming a person’s pain isn’t serious because of their ethnicity.

– Dismissing mental health concerns because of age.

Even without intent, these actions affect care quality and outcomes.

Listening actively, checking personal bias, and respecting patient autonomy are key strategies for reducing this form of discrimination in everyday interactions.

In Staff-to-Staff Interactions

Discrimination also occurs among staff in health and social care settings.

Examples:

– Failing to promote someone because of their religion.

– Making inappropriate jokes about a colleague’s gender identity.

– Not accommodating a disabled employee’s needs.

These behaviours affect morale, performance, and legal standing of organisations.

Building a supportive culture where diversity is valued—not just tolerated—can reduce these issues and create a stronger team environment.

In Policy and Procedure

Sometimes, the systems in place can unintentionally disadvantage some groups.

Examples:

– Dress codes that conflict with religious practices.

– Strict communication rules that ignore language needs.

– Fixed shift patterns that don’t consider carers.

Care organisations must regularly review their policies to ensure fairness.

Policies should be flexible enough to accommodate diverse needs while still maintaining safety and efficiency.

Preventing and Addressing Discrimination

Preventing discrimination in health and social care involves regular staff training, clear reporting systems, and creating inclusive environments. Staff should understand the Equality Act, recognise bias, and communicate respectfully. Safe reporting and fair investigations build trust. Inclusion should be part of daily practice, guided by leadership and supported by ongoing feedback.

Training and Awareness

Regular training on diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias is critical. Staff must:

– Understand the Equality Act.

– Recognise bias in themselves and others.

– Learn respectful communication and cultural sensitivity.

Training should be mandatory and updated regularly.

Learning alone isn’t enough—organisations must evaluate how well training translates into behaviour. Leadership should model inclusive practice at every level.

Reporting Mechanisms

People need safe, accessible ways to report discrimination.

This includes:

– Clear policies.

– Anonymous reporting options.

– Prompt and fair investigation procedures.

Encouraging reporting helps uncover issues that need fixing.

Staff should be reassured that raising concerns won’t lead to punishment or retaliation. Trust in the reporting process is essential for it to work effectively.

Creating Inclusive Environments

Inclusion starts with respect.

Ways to create inclusive spaces:

– Use inclusive language.

– Make adjustments without making people feel “othered”.

– Celebrate diversity within staff and patients.

– Invite feedback and act on it.

Inclusivity isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a foundation for quality care.

Inclusion requires ongoing attention. It should be built into performance reviews, staff evaluations, and daily operations—not left as an afterthought.

Conclusion

Discrimination in health and social care has serious consequences. It harms individuals, damages trust, and lowers the standard of care. Recognising the forms of discrimination—direct, indirect, and systemic—is the first step.

FAQ

What is an example of discrimination in healthcare?
A patient being refused a treatment option because of their age or disability is a clear example of discrimination.

Is age discrimination common in care settings?
Yes, age discrimination can occur when assumptions are made about someone’s capacity or needs based on age alone.

Can patients report discrimination?
Yes. Patients can file complaints directly to the care provider, use the NHS complaints system, or contact independent bodies like the Care Quality Commission.

What happens if a health provider violates the Equality Act?
They can face legal action, fines, investigations, and damage to their reputation and ability to operate.

Are there laws that protect against discrimination in the UK?
Yes. The Equality Act 2010 is the main law protecting against discrimination in services, including health and social care.