Priority 6: Promoting the NHS aspirations to improve equality, diversity and inclusion

Tackling inequity and inequality is an urgent priority and shared responsibility. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s also essential to retain and develop a sustainable workforce for the future.

Over one in five (22.4%) of the NHS’s vast workforce are from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. However, the workforce race equality standard (WRES) report shows that BAME staff as a whole remain less well represented at senior levels, have worse day-to-day work experiences – including being more likely to experience harassment, bullying or abuse from either colleagues or others – and face more challenges in progressing their careers.

According to the General Medical Council (GMC) National Training Survey 2022 results, more than one in ten (12%) trainees and nearly two in ten (18%) trainers do not agree that their employer provides a supportive environment for everyone regardless of background, beliefs, or identity.

Educators will be supported to better understand and support issues relating to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and initiatives will be implemented to eliminate disparity in and through  education and training.