The CRE is funding the study

Patients from ethnic minorities are to be asked about access to treatment.

The university is the first in Scotland to be given a grant by the Commission for Racial Equality.

Dr James Sheffield, of the university's Scottish Centre for European Public Sector Studies, said: "We consider this research extremely important to the delivery of a modern NHS for Scotland, which takes account of the diversity of its people.

"It is essential that we uncover any examples of racism experienced by health sector staff or the patients they treat and we believe that an examination of this issue is long overdue.

"We anticipate that our findings will be of great use to the commission."

Greville Percival, head of research at the CRE, said: "From past experience we are aware of the high quality of work produced in Scotland and of the excellent value for money offered."