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Black History Month 2022

October is Black History Month, find out what events are taking place across the NHS and access race equality related resources.

28 September 2022

Black History Month honours the achievements, culture and history of black people. NHS organisations across the country are celebrating the month with face-to-face and virtual events.  

The theme for the month is ‘Time for change: Action not words'.

Addressing discrimination and disparity is essential, unfortunately, discrimination leads to talent being wasted and poor staff experience leads to poorer outcomes for patients and communities, so it is vital tackling this issue is at the forefront of every NHS organisation.  

Detailed below is a summary of statistics, examples of activities that are taking place during Black History Month across the NHS and a list of resources and organisations that can provide support to improve race equality. 

    • The NHS is the fifth largest employer in the world, with one in five workers of BME heritage.  
    • Black people make up 6.5 per cent of NHS staff. The proportion has increased but currently, only 10 per cent of NHS board members are from BME backgrounds.
    • White staff are still 1.5 times more likely to be appointed for a job than BME staff.
    • 5.2 per cent of the medical workforce and 6.6 per cent of the non-medical workforce in the NHS are from a black background
    • 1.3 per cent of very senior managers working in the NHS are black
    • 2.5 per cent of Band 9 managers identify as black
    • 3.6 per cent of senior doctors, 7.1 per cent of junior doctors and 3 per cent of other doctors are from black backgrounds

    Figures taken from the NHS Workforce Statistics (March 2020 data).  

    Learn about the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and how NHS organisations can address race equality issues

    • NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is relaunching its Primary Care Ethnically Diverse Network on 6 October, 7pm at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. 
       
    • The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is holding a Black History Month Conference on 15 October, 10-2.30pm in Bury. 
       
    • The HSJ are publishing their annual Top 50 most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health during the month.

     

Get involved 

Organisations are encouraged to run their own local campaign to not only celebrate the achievements of BME staff, but also to educate, raise awareness and help create a more inclusive culture.

During October keep an eye on our website and Twitter using hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth as we join in the celebrations, share stories and resources.

Should you have any queries please contact diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org