Scottish cabinet secretary for health and social care Neil Gray has issued a statement identifying racism as a significant public health challenge, and a key cause of health inequalities.

Last week, the the Scottish Government’s 2024/25 Programme for Government included plans to embed anti-racism across the public sector.

In response, the health secretary has outlined various measures, including asking health boards to develop and deliver their own anti-racism plans.

The development of bespoke anti-racism training resources will be taken forward to support NHS managers on how to address racist incidents in the workplace and support staff who experience or witness it.

Gray said: “These changes can’t come fast enough. Racism already has a life-threatening effect on minority ethnic communities across the UK. That has been the case for generations.  The only way we can make a difference now is to actively work against racism. This work is just one step in the right direction. There is no place in Scotland for hatred or racism of any kind.”