News

NHS London statement on racism

A statement from Sir David Sloman, Regional Director of NHS London:

We are the NHS in London. Our people are as diverse as this great city and we stand together in solidarity today and always.

We do not, and must never, accept racism in any part of London’s NHS.

We must – and will – take action to address the problems that exist.

We will listen and act on your concerns; we will ensure that the communities we serve are involved in planning and decision making; and we will work hard to address any disparity or difference in how you experience the NHS.

Black lives matter.

Resources and information

  • As part of the action we will be taking, a new NHS in London People Board will guide action to support our staff. It will reflect our workforce’s diversity, with over 40% of its membership being colleagues from a diverse and rich range of backgrounds.
  • The latest annual Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) report – published on 13 February 2020 – measures the experience and opportunities of white and BME people working in the NHS, using nine key indicators including access to promotion and exposure to discrimination.
  • The NHS England and NHS Improvement Equality and Health Inequalities Hub is designed to provide support and assistance to the NHS, and beyond, in promoting equality and tackling health inequalities for patients, communities and the NHS workforce.
  • The National Guardian’s Office works to make speaking up becomes business as usual to effect cultural change in the NHS.
  • Read The “snowy white peaks” of the NHS: a survey of discrimination in governance and leadership and the potential impact on patient care in London and England.
  • You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment or service, and this is firmly written into the NHS Constitution.