Steady but slow progress towards race equality at work
One in six staff in our hospitals from ethnic minority backgrounds feel discriminated against. That is both unacceptable yet also the lowest level since recording began.
This insight from our staff survey comes as the latest statistics show over 60% of colleagues identify as Black or minority ethnic (BME), the highest proportion ever.
As a group we continue to make progress against the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES) but still have some way to go to reach our goal of full inclusion.
BME staff across the trust not only report falling experiences of discrimination, they also record fewer instances of harassment from colleagues. Yet at 16% and 28% respectively, these levels are clearly still far too high for comfort.
And across almost all WRES metrics, BME staff remain disadvantaged compared to their White colleagues. For example, they remain less likely to be shortlisted for jobs and more likely to be involved in disciplinary processes.
They are also more likely to face harassment from patients, relatives and visitors, with 30% reporting they experienced instances of bullying during 2024/25.
One bright spot in the figures is that the proportion of senior BME staff at Band 8a and above touched 40%, the highest so far from a base of 27% in 2019.
About 45% of BME colleagues believe the trust offers equal opportunities for career progression (compared to 57% of White staff). BME employees are also more likely to access non-mandatory training.
The annual WRES report to the Trust Board highlights how our staff diversity networks are central to shaping our WeBelong approach, enabling us to listen to the lived experiences of colleagues and spread learning.
Ajit Abraham, group executive director for inclusion and equity, said:
“No level of discrimination is acceptable within this organisation, and these figures reflect the ongoing need for sustained, trust-wide action, with a particular focus on eliminating racism, Islamophobia and Antisemitism.
“Embedding anti-racist practice into our everyday culture is about ensuring fair access to opportunities, removing bias from processes, and tackling incivility.”
The figures confirm that Newham is our most diverse hospital, with 77% of staff as BME. It has the most BME representation among senior leaders (57%) but also the most discrimination, (20%) staff harassment (35%) and public bullying (40%).
The Newham executive board has the lowest BME representation of all our hospitals (18%). Whipps Cross has the most (42%) yet this is not representative of a site with 70% BME employees. The Trust board is now 25% BME, its highest level so far.
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