The extent of racism in the National Health Service has been exposed by a new report.

An inquiry led by retired High Court judge Sir John Blofeld said a "greater effort" was needed to tackle institutional racism.

Forum Response: National Black Police Association

Ray Powell, president of the National Black Police Association, told ePolitix.com: "Black and Minority ethnic people have been an integral part of the NHS since the very early 50's and yet how of these people are within the senior structures of the service. If there was a proportional representation of black staff at senior levels within the NHS, this may just reduce the likelihood racist and discriminatory behaviour damaging the lives not just of the customers but also the staff within the NHS.

"The process implementing of the recommendations is equally as important as the recommendations themselves. The people who are likely to be affected by the recommendations need to be involved in the process and valued. Without this involvement any subsequent policies or guidelines will be from a monocultural perspective and will therefore have no substance that will effect change within the NHS."

Forum Response: Depression Alliance

Jim Thomson, chief executive of Depression Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Last year Depression Alliance welcomed assurances given by the NHS that the existing inequalities within mental health would be addressed.

"Having supported earlier calls for an independent inquiry into mental health services for ethnic communities, in particular, those currently offered to black and minority ethnic women, we hoped that this move by the NHS would have lead to the long-term provision of tailored, community based mental health services.

"Black and minority ethnic people are particularly prone to being admitted to psychiatric hospitals under the Mental Health Act. And yet, negative past experiences, a lack of trust in the service, or a lack of knowledge of the services that exist mean that people from these communities continue to shy away from mental health services.

"This report will do nothing to restore the faith of the black and ethnic minority communities. If people cannot trust the help they receive when they are at their most vulnerable then they will not seek help. When early intervention is key to recovery and reducing the burden on already stretched mental health services then acting upon the recommendations in these types of report is vital. The clock is ticking."

Forum Response: SANE

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity SANE, said: "This report is a worrying indictment of the way black patients and those from different cultural backgrounds are treated by the mental health services.

"The government has in the past seemed to turn a blind eye to the rising numbers of young Afro-Caribbean men who are disproportionately filling acute psychiatric wards and secure units, many severely disturbed because their distrust has made them too frightened to seek help earlier.

"This has been a ticking time bomb, but over the past ten years the mental health services have failed to train staff sufficiently in cultural awareness and sensitivities.

"We support the call for a National Director for Mental Health and Ethnicity to ensure enhanced training of all mental health workers so that they have the confidence to provide care in ways more acceptable to patients who feel angry and alienated, more involvement of families at an early stage, and services which more closely reflect the needs and gain the trust of this group."

Forum Response: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Dr Mike Shooter, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: "The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes the important findings from the 'David Bennett Inquiry'.

"The College is aware that this is a particularly difficult time for the Bennett family and hopes that the Inquiry recommendations will be implemented as soon as possible so that no other families will have to experience such tragic events.

"The College has publicly stated its awareness of institutional racism, both within its own structures and in mental health services, and was the first Royal Medical College to undertake a major systematic review of its structures to eliminate institutional racism.

"The College has made a long-term commitment to address those areas on which it has particular influence. It has been working with Professor Kamlesh Patel, National Strategic Director at NIMHE concerned with black and minority ethnic health, and his team from the Centre for Ethnicity and Health at the University of Central Lancashire, to bring about substantial changes at many levels.

"These changes include: Training of psychiatrists at all levels in cultural capability and sensitivity. Initiating sustained consultation and dialogue with black and minority ethnic user and carer groups to address the inequalities of service provision.  Promoting awareness of the potential for discrimination in the use of mental health legislation. Ensuring that all College research and policy takes appropriate account of race and culture. Supporting psychiatrists in ensuring that black and minority ethnic users and carers have access to culturally sensitive mental health services.

"The College, in particular, welcomes the Inquiry's recommendation to appoint a National Director of Mental Health and Ethnicity in the NHS and would wish to work closely with such a Director in the future."