Tackling racial bias in NHS workplaces

As set out in the NHS standard contract (NHS England, 2018), implementing the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) is a requirement for all NHS healthcare providers. The WRES was first introduced in 2015, with the aim of identifying and helping to close the workplace inequality gap between black and minority ethnic (BME) and white staff working in the NHS. The WRES was seen as key to supporting the improvements required for developing better practice environments, and creating workplaces where staff feel valued and enabled to deliver high-quality care. There are many opportunities for nurse leaders to deliver the necessary improvements.

A package of measures in the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2018) to improve race equality in the health service includes a £1 million annual investment until at least 2025, along with a team of 42 experts from within the existing NHS England workforce. The latest WRES data report highlights the experiences of BME staff in the NHS.