Lack of diversity ‘a wake up call’ for NHS

A new report from the NHS Confederation has said that the process for appointing senior roles in NHS hospitals and trusts in England should be reviewed, after figures showed boards have become less diverse.

The Chairs and non-executives in the NHS: The need for diverse leadership report found that appointments of black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates (BAME) to non-executive positions have fallen over eight years, saying that the findings serve as a ‘wake-up call’.

The data indicates that the proportion of board chairs and non-executives from a BAME background recruited, or re-appointed, in 2017 was eight per cent of a total of 1,603, down from 12 per cent of 1,190 in 2009. The number of BAME appointments fell from 139 to 128 over the same period.

The report argues that there were two predominant factors behind the slight fall in BAME appointments. Firstly, the growth in the number of foundation trusts where non-executive appointments are not subject to the same level of official public scrutiny as before. These trusts were introduced in England in 2004. Secondly, the abolition in 2012 of the NHS Appointments Commission - which used to oversee recruitment to a range of NHS public bodies - was a factor.

According to the NHS Confederation, a diverse and inclusive leadership among those appointed to such board roles of NHS organisations will provide the tone of governance that is needed to: address the issue of staff feeling bullied and harassed; develop the culture recommended by Sir Robert Francis and Professor Don Berwick; and motivate NHS staff to be caring and productive, and to provide more efficient and sensitive patient care.

Joan Saddler, director of partnerships and equality at the NHS Confederation, said: "This report must be a wake-up call for a health service which is heading in the wrong direction and becoming less diverse at board level. That is not right for patients and staff working in NHS organisations."