NHS: Black and Minority Ethnic Nursing Directors

Baroness Manzoor Excerpts

Monday 10th February 2014 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I have already mentioned some of the initiatives that are in train. However, I can tell my noble friend that, within the NHS Leadership Academy, there are two programmes specifically for nurses and midwives that map to foundation, mid and executive level leadership development. There is the front-line leadership programme which is for staff who have leadership responsibilities—for example, ward sisters and nurses working in primary care. We expect 6,000 nurses and midwives to participate in that programme in the first year. There is also the senior operational leaders programme which provides senior nursing clinicians with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills.

[Baroness Manzoor (LD)]

My Lords, a web audit found that only 80 NHS trusts publish annual staff data broken down by ethnicity. Will the Minister reassure the House that all NHS trusts meet their legal obligations under the Race Relations Act and that all workforce issues faced by black and minority ethnic staff are identified?

[Earl Howe]

My noble friend raises a crucial issue about transparency. I can assure her that this is squarely within the sights of the Chief Nursing Officer and her advisory group.