Inclusivity among NHS leadership is more important than ever before in the health service, with NHS Providers launching a new series of online publications on racism and race inequality.
The series will share a range of perspective on how healthcare leaders can help address structural inequalities, particularly for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people working within the health service.
Over the next three months, NHS Providers will use the materials to highlight existing good practice in the NHS, alongside research, ideas and learnings from other sectors. They’ll also discuss what more is needed from the Government as the NHS seeks to create a fair, just and healthy society for all.
Launching the Inclusive Leadership series, NHS Providers deputy chief executive, Saffron Cordery said: “As a society we must tackle race inequality, racism and prejudice head on, and as individuals that work must begin at home and where we work.
“Our health service must lead by example, by treating staff and patients equally and fairly and making our Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff feel valued and respected in all organisations. This has to come from the very top of organisations.
“This new series seeks to shine a light on what is already being done to achieve this and to provide information and support to help leaders across the NHS continue to build on their work to create a truly inclusive health service.
“If we can have a health care system that is equal, and welcoming to all people no matter their race, background, gender, sexual orientation or religion, we can show the nation that there is no room for racism or prejudice of any kind.”
Kicking off the new series, a blog from chief executives Patricia Miller and Raj Jain, of Dorset County Hospital NHS FT and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group respectively, calls for all providers to have an honest conversation about racism and for leaders of health services to lead from the top in order to spearhead major change to tackle these inequalities and prejudices.
Race has come to the forefront of conversations across society recently, with many in the health service keen to leverage this attention to make meaningful change around inclusivity, particularly for BAME colleagues and in leadership roles.
In calling for those honest conversations, Patricia and Raj reflect on one of the founding ethos of the health service: “When Nye Bevan created the NHS, one of the core founding principles was equality and inclusivity; a health care for all.”
