People from ethnic minorities are almost half as likely to be given a job at community hospitals in Kent as their white counterparts, according to a new report.

Results from a study by Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT) show black and minority ethnic (BME) staff were less successful at landing a job and more likely to go through disciplinary procedures last year.

The statistics were released following a government incentive for all independent healthcare providers across the county to promote equality through career opportunities of people with a BME background.

The workforce race equality standard (WRES) outlines the percentage of BME staff in each pay bracket and the likelihood of non-white candidates being appointed, accessing training or being given a disciplinary.

The report found that in 2017, only 169 of 3,467 shortlisted applicants from BME backgrounds later got the job – around 4.9%.

Meanwhile 586 of 6,817 white people shortlisted were employed – about 8.6%.

The Maidstone-based trust runs community hospitals across the county from Victoria Memorial Hospital in Deal, Gravesham minor injury clinic to Edenbridge and District War Memorial Hospital as well as dental clinics.

The report showed 72% of staff identified as white British and 11% from a BME background.

Dental staff are the most diverse group with 44% coming from a BME background.

Meanwhile, 85% per cent of staff on the highest pay bracket across the trust are white.

The report also found that non-white staff were twice as likely to go through a formal disciplinary process.

Fay Sinclair, spokesman for KCHFT, said: “BME, LBGT and disability networks meet regularly and all staff are encouraged to attend if they want to and given the time for this.

“We have an annual network celebration of diversity, Inspire mentoring programme and we monitor diversity around incidents, recruitment and disciplinary cases.”