Recent figures have revealed that the NHS workforce is more diverse than at any other point in its history.

The NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard shows Black and minority ethnic (BME) staff make up almost a quarter of the workforce - 383,706 people, 24.2 per cent of the overall workforce. This is an increase of 27,500 people since 2021.

The research shows that more than two fifths of doctors, dentists, and consultants, and almost a third of nurses, midwives, and health visitors are from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

However, the figures also show that BME staff are still underrepresented in senior positions, with the proportion of Black and minority ethnic board members across all NHS trusts at 13.2 per cent in 2022, up from 12.6 per cent the year before.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: “Figures from today’s Workforce Race Equality Standard report show the number of BME staff in very senior roles and on NHS boards continuing to go in the right direction, which evidence shows is not only better for staff, but for patients too.

“But we know there is still significant room for improvement to change the experience of BME staff, which is why we are continuing to support local NHS organisations to help them tackle race inequality – including setting local targets to ensure their senior leadership is fully representative.”

Professor Anton Emmanuel, head of Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), added: “There has been a notable and sustained increase in the number of BME colleagues in the NHS, along with improved board and very senior management representation.

“Unfortunately, some colleagues are subject to inequitable processes; less likely to be promoted, more likely to face formal disciplinary and more likely to be bullied or harassed. We must use the data in this report to drive evidence-based actions to reverse these trends, by replicating pockets of improvement by some trusts across a number of indicators.”

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