London’s NHS has one of the most diverse workforces in the capital, with 44.9% of staff being from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, including the majority of doctors, nurses and midwives.

However, the experience of many BME colleagues working in London is not equal to that of their white counterparts and the time has come for a step-change.

London’s Workforce Race Strategy outlines the challenge and complexity involved in addressing race inequality, while recognising that this will require a long-term commitment. A series of 15 evidence-based recommendations set out how London’s NHS can make a significant and tangible difference to the experiences of its BME workforce. The strategy documents can be downloaded below:

• Executive Summary
• London Workforce Race Strategy
• Easy Read London Workforce Race Strategy

In 2020 the NHS launched the People Plan that outlines actions for leaders across the NHS for 2020/21 and includes some significant steps for race equality. This includes the launch of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, to identify and tackle the specific health challenges facing people from BME backgrounds.

London has also formed a People Board, which aims to make the NHS in London a better and more equal place to work by: increasing the diversity of the workforce and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion strategies; redesigning ways of working; improving the leadership culture; and growing and training the workforce.

For more information or to get involved please contact: London.RaceStrategy@nhs.net

In the short film below, a number of our NHS staff in London explain why they feel the London Workforce Race Strategy is important and how it will make a difference to the experiences of BME staff across the capital.