Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) his and (b) NHS policy is on the use of (i) BAME and (ii) BME (A) in public policy on health and (B) generally.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities recommended in March 2021 that the Government stop using the term BAME, which stands for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic. Since then, where possible, the Department has referred to ethnic minority groups individually, rather than as a single group. Where an aggregated ethnic group is referred to, the term ‘ethnic minority’ has been used. Further information about how the Government refers to different ethnic groups can be found on GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/writing-about-ethnicity/

The National Health Service is always specific, where possible, about the ethnic groups referred to, only using collective terminology where there is a legitimate need to do so. Where collective terminology is needed, it is guided by context.