Replace all spirometers that falsely correct for race/ethnicity from the NHS

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Due to prior forged and false evidence about BAME individuals having lower forced vital lung capacity (FVC), data-altering spirometers were created in the 1800s that still exist today and are in use. We ask that all of these are removed from the NHS and teaching and are replaced with updated models.

In 1864, a study was conducted that totalled to a 613 page report in an effort to try to prove that black people’s lung capacity was lower than that of white people’s in order to justify slavery, arguing that black people needed forced labour to stretch their lungs and to "vitalise their tainted blood". This is vastly untrue, but because of this false belief, BAME individuals today are more likely to receive inadequate treatment for asthma. The worst consequence of this is death.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise. This is a clinical decision for the NHS.

Timeline

25 Sep 2020	Petition opened for signatures
20 Oct 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 20 Oct 2020

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