National Health Service: Workforce Race Equality Standard

Earl of Listowel Excerpts

Wednesday 24th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, I am not sure that the noble Lord is quite right. I can certainly think of two people from BME backgrounds on the board of NHS England. We can influence this, but it is important that the appointment process is independent of political bias. We have to rely on the chairs and the boards of these arm’s-length bodies to make those appointments.

[The Earl of Listowel (CB)]

My Lords, I am stretching the point rather, but given the increasing awareness that not only the education needs but the health needs of looked-after children and care leavers have been neglected in the past, might the Minister consider looking at how many care leavers and care-experienced adults are represented at senior levels of governance in the health service to ensure that these young people and adults get better support in the future?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

I think we are probably straying quite a long way from the Question, but I will certainly consider what the noble Earl said.