The Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications has met for the first time to begin its work to increase diversity among NHS communicators.

The taskforce is chaired by Edna Boampong and hosted in partnership with NHS Confederation and NHS Providers. It will meet bi-monthly, and deliver its final findings and recommendations in early 2025.

It brings together prominent leaders from across the NHS communications and engagement profession, NHS leadership and social mobility campaigners, as well as a diverse group of ethnic minority communicators with lived experience of navigating a communications career.

The full list of member is available online. 

As part of the first meeting, members agreed on a plan of action to confront the racial disparities highlighted in The State of NHS Communications report - specifically that ethnic minorities remain disproportionately underrepresented in senior leadership roles, with less than 5 per cent of the most senior NHS communicators coming from a minority ethnic background.

At the same time, 61 per cent of senior NHS communicators say they do not have a communications workforce representative of the local communities they serve.

In response, the taskforce plans to focus initially on addressing the lack of ethnic diversity and representation in the NHS communications workforce, while also considering the needs and experiences of the broader range of underrepresented groups.

A survey will be launched during the week commencing 30 September and people are asked to share it with their colleagues and encourage as many communicators from ethnic minority backgrounds to make their voices heard.

Natasha Ferguson, chief operating officer, Taylor Bennett Foundation said: "I think what's also important to think about is if we are looking to increase representation within NHS communications, we must also understand the challenges and the relationship that ethnic minorities have with the service."

Meredith Vivian OBE, non-executive director: health inequalities & involvement, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB said: "One of the things I'd like to see us have a real impact on is helping people understand what it is that we're talking about racism. For many this will be defined by right-wing thuggery, when what actually has the biggest impact is subtle and is quite hard to recognise."