Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme

Supporting health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures, where difference is welcomed and celebrated.
A large group seated in an auditorium facing two projector screens with a speaker talking them through the slides.

About our programme

Our programme runs annually and is a comprehensive organisational development programme which helps organisations advance equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. 

Delivered through a year-long series of events, it includes a virtual session for board members on the strategic business case for EDI, four face-to-face interactive modules and specialist virtual masterclasses. A new addition to the 2024/25 programme will be a series of drop-in networking sessions for EDI leads and staff network chairs.

The programme provides access to leading industry experts, good practice, guidance, resources and networking opportunities. It is designed around and reflects the ambitions and requirements of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and NHS EDI improvement plan.

Built on a foundation of delivering successful diversity and inclusion partners programmes, this initiative provides thought leadership, tools and tips to help put your organisation at the forefront of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practice. 

Watch our short animation to find out more about the programme

Underpinned by the NHS values, the programme supports

  • leaders to integrate the latest sustainable diversity and inclusion practices
  • the creation of culturally appropriate and inclusive services to meet the needs of a diverse range of patients and care service users
  • organisations to be the best employers and service providers they can be
  • efforts to achieve the requirements of NHS and other external benchmarks and standards.

Take a look at our Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme brochure to learn more. 

Watch this short video to find out what our partners think about the programme

Who should apply

Organisations

Individuals

  • NHS trusts (including acute, community, learning disabilities, mental health, ambulance and integrated care systems) 
  • Local government organisations
  • Private sector organisations providing health and social care services
  • Voluntary and charity sector organisations 
  • Board members
  • Equality and diversity leads
  • Human resources professionals
  • Staff network chairs, co-chairs and leads
  • Learning and organisational development leads
  • Service improvement, staff-side representatives and project managers

  • The programme provides an opportunity for participants to claim Continuing Professional Development hours following attendance at our modules. Please note these are individually assessed and accredited by CPD following each event. 

  • For the 2024/25 programme, there is a standard charge of £3,000 + VAT per organisation (not per individual). 

    We recommend and encourage that board members, EDI leads and staff network chairs attend the face-to-face modules and benefit from the great networking opportunities this provides. There is more flexibility for additional delegates to attend the virtual masterclasses. 

  • Our activities commenced with a virtual session for board members on the business case for EDI on 8 September 2023. If you missed this session and would like to watch a video of it, please contact us at diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org

    The face-to-face modules will take place from 10am - 4pm:

    • Module 1 - Wednesday 11 October 2023 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendall St, Leeds LS10 1JR
    • Module 2 - Thursday 18 January 2024 - Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London, England, WC1N 1HT
    • Module 3 - Thursday 25 April 2024 - Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Bottle Bank, NE8 2AR
    • Module 4 - Tuesday 2 July 2024 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendall St, Leeds LS10 1JR

    Virtual masterclasses:

    • enei Masterclass: Challenging everyday sexism webinar - 23 November 2023, 2pm-4pm
    • Belonging and diversity for innovation with Lady (Kitty) Chisholm & Dr Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj - 8 February 2024, 9:30-11:30am
    • enei Masterclass: Building staff networks - 30 May 2024, 1pm-3pm
    • enei Masterclass: Inclusive recruitment and talent management - 23 July 2024, 1pm-3pm

  • The face-to-face modules will take place from 10am - 4pm:

    • Module 1 - Thursday 3 October 2024 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendell Street, Leeds LS10 1JR
    • Module 2 - January/ February 2025 - date and location TBC
    • Module 3 - April 2025 - date and location TBC
    • Module 4 - Tuesday 1 July 2024 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendell Street, Leeds LS10 1JR

    The virtual masterclasses and drop in session dates will be confirmed shortly.

Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme 2024/25

The application process is now open for our next cohort to join in September 2024. Organisations have until Friday 28 June 2024 to submit their application.

Apply now Arrow pointing right

Read our partner case studies

Nurse-Computer-working-IT.jpg
Case Study

Improving disability declaration rates at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Find out how Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation trust improved their disability declaration rates.

20 November 2023
A diverse team meeting around a table.
Case Study

Partnership working during organisational change

Find out how staff networks supported University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust during a period of organisational change.

7 July 2022
An officer worker leading a meeting.
Case Study

Listening to the voices of staff with disabilities

Read how University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust improved the experiences of staff with disabilities.

26 November 2020
A silhouette of a person sitting on a bed by a window.
Case Study

Widening participation as a strategic approach

Find out how the trust used widening participation initiatives to help the local refugee and migrant population return to a career in healthcare.

30 March 2021
    • Alliance for Better Care Ltd
    • Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    • Barts Health NHS Trust
    • Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System
    • Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
    • Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
    • Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
    • Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust
    • East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
    • East Cheshire NHS Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 
    • Elysium Healthcare
    • Everyturn Mental Health
    • George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust 
    • Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
    • Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust
    • Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust
    • Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
    • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    • InHealth Group
    • Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust
    • Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
    • London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
    • Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
    • Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
    • Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust
    • NHS Professionals
    • NHS Somerset
    • NHS South Central West Commissioning Support Unit
    • NICE
    • Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
    • North East and North Cumbria ICB
    • North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
    • Nuffield Health
    • Practice Plus Group
    • Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital
    • Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
    • South East Coast Ambulance Service
    • South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
    • South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
    • St Helens and Knowsley University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
    • St Michael's Hospice
    • The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • The King's Fund
    • United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
    • University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
    • Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
    • West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
    • Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Application process and further information

Read our brochure to find out more about the programme.

The application process is open until Friday 28 June for organisations to participate in our 2024/25 programme starting in September 2024.

If you have any questions about the programme please email the team at diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org.