Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme

Supporting health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures, where difference is welcomed and celebrated.
Partners listening

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, our 2024/25 programme started in September 2024 and includes a virtual session for board members, four face-to-face interactive modules and specialist virtual masterclasses. 

A new addition to the 2024/25 programme are 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.

Find out what our existing partners think about the programme

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

  • 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. 

  • Virtual masterclasses

    • Board member masterclass: Systemic culture change - 11 September 8.30-10.30am
    • Masterclass 1: Developing anti-racist strategies - Tuesday 12 November, 11am-1pm
    • Masterclass 2: Addressing bullying, harassment and violence - Thursday 27 February, 10am-12noon
    • Masterclass 3: Improving recruitment, retention and progression strategies- Wednesday 14 May, 2-4pm
    • Masterclass 4: Subject TBC – Thursday 10 July, 10am-12noon

    Face-to-face modules - taking from 10am - 4pm:

    • Module 1 - Thursday 3 October 2024 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendell Street, Leeds LS10 1JR
    • Module 2 - Tuesday 11 February 2025 - BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP
    • Module 3 - April 2025 - Liverpool - venue to be confirmed
    • Module 4 - Tuesday 1 July 2024 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Kendell Street, Leeds LS10 1JR

    Virtual drop-in sessions for EDI leads *
     

    • Tuesday 8 October 2024, 11am-12pm.
    • Wednesday 11 December 2024, 11am-12pm.
    • Thursday 6 March 2025, 2-3pm
    • Tuesday 24 June 2025, 2-3:30pm

    Virtual drop-in sessions for staff network chairs *
     

    • Wednesday 16 October 2024, 11-12pm
    • Tuesday 10 December 2024, 11am-12pm
    • Wednesday 5 March 2025, 2-3pm
    • Thursday 26 June 2025, 2.30pm-3.30pm

    * Please email diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org to receive the MS Teams invites for these virtual sessions.

    • Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System
    • Bromley Healthcare
    • Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
    • Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    • Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    • Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP Federation
    • Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System
    • Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
    • King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    • Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
    • Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOSCU)
    • Mediq Healthcare UK Limited
    • Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
    • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 
    • NHS Counter Fraud Authority
    • NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group
    • NHS North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group
    • NHS Professionals
    • NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
    • North Cumbria Integrated Care Board
    • North London Mental Health Partnership
    • Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
    • Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
    • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
    • South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
    • The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
    • United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
    • University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
    • Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    • Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
    • Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  • Applications have now closed for the 2024/25 programme, if you would like to express your interest in joining the 2025/26 programme, please email diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org.

    Read our brochure for more information about the programme. 

Read our partner case studies

A nurse checking a tablet computer.
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.

Group of staff talking in office
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.

An office worker smiling in a meeting.
Case Study

Listening to the voices of staff with disabilities: University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

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

Image of two ladies looking at a computer
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.