Despite attempts to maximize access to and receipt of health care in the UK, minority ethnic groups experience significant problems with non-culturally sensitive health care. ‘Linguistically and culturally diverse’ (LCD) groups continue, therefore, to bear a disease burden which is unacceptably high. This is particularly evident in cerebrovascular disease (CVD). The origin of exclusionary practices is discussed as is the epidemiology of CVD among Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations resident in the UK. There then follows a discussion of barriers to health care access, beliefs concerning health, medicine, illness and disease among LCD groups as possible predictors of access to health care. The central contention is that health care provided to CVD patients is flawed and indeed may exacerbate poor health outcomes as a result of discriminatory practices. Given this, models of nursing assessment and care are discussed. Finally, specific suggestions to enable staff to provide culturally sensitive care are provided and conclusions stated.