Summary
The NHS Race and Health Observatory was established by the NHS in 2021 to examine ethnic inequalities in health across the country, and to support national bodies in implementing meaningful change for ethnic minority communities, patients, and members of the health and care workforce.
We work as a proactive investigator, commissioning new research and synthesising existing evidence to ensure that our health and care system works for everyone, regardless of their race. We make practical recommendations for national policy leaders and, crucially, we support the real-world implementation of those recommendations.
We are an independent body, sitting far enough outside the health and care system to serve as a critical ally, but close enough to ensure that our work is firmly rooted in the day-to-day realities of patients and staff members.
Our ultimate aim is to help close the gap on ethnic inequalities in health and care. We’ll do this by gathering the best possible evidence, listening to the voices of those who interact with the health and care system, and building an enduring network of passionate and influential people who share our commitment to equality.
Engagement Event to Shape Observatory’s 2025-2027 Strategy
The development of our 2025-2027 strategy involved engagement on our key ambitions and future priorities to tackle racial inequalities in health and healthcare.
This included a strategy event with key partners and stakeholders at the Royal Society of Medicine in November 2024.
The discussion panel on hand included Marie Gabriel, Chair of the NHS Race and Health Observatory; Prof Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive, Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation and Observatory Board member; Ed Moses, Director for the NHS 10 Year Plan: Policy and Engagement at the Department of Health and Social Care, and Tracey Bignall, Director of Policy and Engagement at the Race Equality Foundation.
Watch this short highlights video of the engagement event.
NHS Race and Health Strategy 2025 – 2027
Our Strategy for 2025-2027 frames more equitable healthcare with robust and co-designed ambitions for the Observatory and for the sector as a whole. All the people we’ve engaged – hundreds overall – have helped to steer us towards a set of strategic ambitions which, over the next few years, will be the focus of our collective efforts. These are the result of years of work, and we believe delivering them would make the greatest possible impact in tackling racial and ethnic inequity.
We know the healthcare system can work in a way that eliminates race inequity, and this strategy will support the system to get there.