There are now more NHS staff from a black or minority ethnic background than at any point in it’s history. That’s according to an annual report which looked at race equality across the health service. The study which looked at data from 2023 analysed the different members of staff in senior positions across the health service and looked at how accurately they portrayed the representation of different cultures through out society. This helps to ensure that no one community or group of citizens is discriminated against because of where in the world they come from.
If someone from a different part of the world needs medical treatment, they are more likely to feel comfortable if they are treated by someone who is from the same area of the world or community they are from. This way they are more likely to have in depth knowledge and experience of many of the issues that may be effecting that person and will be able to sympathise or offer different ways in which they can offer support.
The published report gives a snapshot which illustrates what level different NHS Trusts are at with regard to addressing equality amongst patient care. It also showed that more than a quarter of the workforce is made up of health practitioners from minority ethnic backgrounds. This equates to around 26.4% of the NHS workforce. With almost half of (47.5%) of doctors, dentists, and consultants and more than third (33.6%) of our nurses, midwives, and health visitors, coming from a BME background.
The report also showed further evidence of racial discrimination among the employment of new members of the workforce with white shortlisted applicants 1.59 times more likely to be given a job than a shortlisted applicant from a minority ethnic background. This means that there was a decline of 1.53% from the same set of date which was collected in 2022.
A separate report published today found disabled representation on NHS boards in England increased to 5.7% in 2023, an increase of 1.1% from 2022.
The NHS Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) reports shows disability declaration rates by NHS staff has significantly improved in 2023, up by 19.9% due to improved engagement by NHS trusts. While board members declaring a disability has risen from 2.1 % in 2019 to 5.7%.
The increase comes following the creation of the new Disabled NHS Directors Network and will mean that more measures will be able to put in place to help cater for and support disabled applicants who wish to become members of the NHS and help care for people in society. This will help to give a more accurate representation of different people in communities and help ensure that they get the right help and support where needed.
The relative likelihood of a disabled job applicant being appointed through short-listing has improved from 1.18 in 2019 to 0.99 in 2022. This suggests disabled and non-disabled applicants are equally likely to be recruited to the NHS.
The report also found just over half (52.1%) of disabled staff believed they had equal opportunities for career progression or promotion – an increase from 51.3% in 2022. While 73.4% of disabled staff felt that their employer had made adequate adjustments to enable them to carry out their work.
Dr Navina Evans, NHS England Chief Workforce Officer, said:
“There are some positive improvements in this year’s WRES and WDES data, including a higher number of people in senior positions in the NHS being filled by people of ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled colleagues.
“But we know there is more to do, and with the NHS workforce more diverse than at any point in its history progress is particularly critical.
“That is why the NHS’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion improvement plan sets out targeted actions to address prejudice and discrimination in the workplace, including making sure every NHS board and Chief Executive has a measurable objective to improve the experience of staff.”
Professor Em Wilkinson-Brice, Director for Staff Experience and Leadership Development at NHS England, said:
“It is really encouraging to see the improvements in diversity across the NHS workforce. We recently published our NHS staff survey which also showed tangible improvements in our staff experience. Ensuring we have a motivated and valued workforce is a key part of the People Promise where we all must work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins, said:
“I want to see the NHS recruit and retain brilliant people from all backgrounds. It is important that the NHS at all levels represents the people it cares for, and I welcome progress in appointing more black and minority ethnic staff to senior positions and better representation of disabled people in the NHS workforce.
“Through our introduction of the first ever NHS long-term workforce plan, we are creating more opportunities for doctors and nurses here at home, which will boost the NHS workforce and the diversity within it.”
