According to new NHS data, NHS boards have more disabled members that ever before.

The Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) annual report shows that disabled people make up 4.8 per cent of voting members on NHS boards, up from 3.8 per cent in 2021.

The report also revealed that the chance of a disabled candidate being appointed to a job in the NHS is on par with non-disabled applicants, with the relative likelihood of appointment for disabled people improving from 1.18 in 2019 to 1.08 in 2022 – where 1 represents equity of opportunity.

However, it was also revealed that a third of disabled staff have experienced bullying, harassment or abuse from patients or the public, compared to more than a quarter of non-disabled staff.

There has been a reduction in the proportion of disabled staff experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse from managers, down to 17 per cent compared to 19.4 per cent in 2017. While one in four disabled staff have experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from colleagues.

Dr Navina Evans, NHS England’s chief workforce, training and education officer said: “This report shows some progress has been made for staff with a disability, with greater representation on NHS boards and more opportunities for disabled staff to have their voices heard at work.

“We know that the NHS is at its best when it reflects the diversity of our country and that how the NHS supports its staff can have an impact on how it treats patients, so while the latest data shows promising progress in many areas, disparities between disabled and non-disabled staff continue to exist.

“That is why as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and our Equality, diversity and inclusion improvement plan, trusts will be expected to make the most of the talent, expertise and skill of every member of staff and take steps to address disproportionate levels of bullying and harassment.”

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