Discrimination in healthcare is never subtle in its impact — even when it appears subtle in form. In this essential deep-dive, we break down exactly how UK doctors must act when faced with discrimination, bias, or barriers to equitable care, using clear GMC-aligned decision frameworks and the legal backbone of the Equality Act 2010.

You’ll learn:
✅ The nine protected characteristics and what unlawful discrimination means in practice
✅ The difference between direct, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
✅ Why indirect discrimination (policies that disadvantage groups) is a major exam and real-world trap
✅ The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and your responsibility to challenge unfair systems
✅ The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) and your absolute duty to provide interpreters and adjustments
✅ Why using family members as interpreters is always unsafe and low-scoring
✅ A high-yield step-by-step clinical framework for managing discrimination immediately and safely
✅ The most dangerous trap answers that repeatedly fail MSRA SJT candidates

This episode gives you:
• Immediate intervention phrases to use on the ward or in clinic
• A defensible escalation and documentation pathway
• Clear guidance on challenging senior colleagues safely
• A system-level mindset that protects both patients and your professional integrity

Essential listening for:
• MSRA SJT candidates
• Foundation doctors and GP trainees
• Hospital doctors and clinical leaders
• Anyone responsible for equitable NHS care

📎 More MSRA resources to accompany this episode:
https://passthemsra.com

00:00 — Why discrimination is a high-stakes clinical issue
00:42 — Real-world clinical discrimination scenarios
01:27 — The core professional duty: zero tolerance & immediate action
02:31 — GMC fairness principles & prohibited behaviour
02:52 — Equality Act 2010 & the nine protected characteristics
03:28 — Direct vs indirect discrimination explained
03:55 — Digital systems & indirect exclusion
04:45 — Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in practice
05:18 — The STEPWISE clinical response framework
05:29 — Step 1: Spot and stop
06:28 — Step 2: Adjust and include
06:48 — Step 3: Escalate and record
07:02 — Step 4: Reflect and learn
07:15 — Immediate response mnemonics & memory hooks
07:39 — Accessible Information Standard (AIS)
08:43 — Why relatives must never interpret
09:05 — Common exam trap answers
10:40 — High-scoring rapid-fire decision logic
11:28 — Final key clinical takeaways
12:26 — Professional accountability & system-wide change