GOC to contribute to new research on the effect of COVID-19 on BAME healthcare workers

The General Optical Council (GOC) is contributing to the UK Research study into Ethnicity and COVID-19 outcomes in Healthcare workers (UK-REACH).

UK-REACH research, which is being led by academics at the University of Leicester, will study why people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are more likely to experience severe COVID-19. It comes following evidence from the Office of National Statistics which revealed that people from BAME backgrounds are almost two times more likely to die from the novel virus than their white counterparts.

The study aims to calculate the risk of COVID-19 to BAME healthcare workers within the four nations of the UK. The research will follow a group of healthcare professionals over the next 12 months to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health.

Findings over the course of the study will be used to inform policymakers on the development of risk reduction and support programmes, alongside reducing health inequalities and improving the long-term health outcomes of BAME healthcare workers.

We are one of a number of health and care organisations supporting the research – including General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Dental Council.

Further information and updates about the research will be available on the UK-REACH website.