How equal is access to senior management and leadership roles in the NHS?

Abstract

In 2015, the NHS was named the fifth largest employer in the world, comprising clinical and non-clinical staff from varying backgrounds, all of whom impact lives on a daily basis through their work. In 2020, over 20% of this workforce identified as Black, Asian or minority ethnic, yet less than 13% of senior positions in the NHS, including band 8A and higher, are held by individuals in this group. Although the Workforce Race Equality Standard was introduced in 2015 to help address this issue, there is still work to be done. Therefore, this article highlights racial and ethnic discrepancies in positions of leadership and management in the NHS, and explores the programmes available and the steps that Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees can take to help them progress to senior management roles.