Aims

To create an evidence base on health and social needs and issues of Black and Minority Ethnic communities which will facilitate in delivering culturally appropriate services for this particular community. Furthermore the evidence will help to support the development of policies in relation to health and diverse BME communities.

Policy & Research Unit

Policy and research form the combined area of focus of REACH's triangulated forumula. This is due to the fact that much of the research that is undertaken aims to inform and influence policy-makers with regards to the diverse health needs of the Black & Minority Ethnic community.

Objectives

  • To carry out robust research in partnership with other relevant stake holders form a community perspective.
  • To initiate and conduct primary and secondary research that has high ethical standards and helps to improve the quality and accessibility of health and social care services for BME Communities.
  • To engage with BME communities and form a Partnership with mainstream and BME community representatives in the form of a Public Policy and Participation Forum.

Policy

REACH National Launch

With regards to policy, REACH has been involved in several consultation responses and is currently active in several committees, forums and networks that have a strong policy-orientation. For example, REACH has represented Black & Minority Ethnic views with regards to the important area of sexual health by submitting a consultation response for Enhancing Sexual Health and Well-Being in Scotland, and is currently a member of the ministerial National Sexual Health Advisory Committee.

One of the key developments in the area of policy, however, has been the establishment of REACH's Public Policy, Active Citizen (PPAC) Project which aims to ensure that the Black & Minority Ethnic community in Glasgow is effectively engaged in the reform of public services and participating fully in the new policy structures as envisioned by Community Planning and Community Health Care Partnerships. An important output of the PPAC project is the Public Policy Participation Forum through which members of the ethnic minority community will be vested with the opportunity and capacity to interact directly with service-designers and policy makers.

Research

The majority of our research is Glasgow based and now we are currently in the process of expanding this Scotland wide. Our staff reflect both the multi-disciplinary (epidemiology, economics, statistics, health policy) and multi-professional (medicine, pharmacy) nature of our work.