Taskforce calls for more NHS leaders to sign charter to tackle racial inequalities in communications

Health leaders are being asked to do more to tackle bias and discrimination in the NHS communications sector or risk even more talented ethnic minority staff leaving the profession.

The Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications, comprising senior leaders from across the public, private and third sectors, is urging all chief executive officers, chairs and communications leads to add their names to its Diversity Charter as part of collective action to tackle racial inequalities in NHS communications.

The charter is backed by extensive research, including a survey which revealed that 26% of communicators from ethnic minorities working in the NHS in England said they expected to leave the service within three years. As such, the Taskforce's focus remains clear on the racial inequalities that persist within NHS communications – as they do in other parts of the NHS workforce – and the steps needed to tackle them.

The Diversity Charter was published alongside the 'Breaking Barriers' report in July 2025 – this was a key development from the Taskforce that was established by the NHS Confederation, NHS Providers and the Centre for Health Communication Research (CHCR). The aim of the Taskforce is to support the development of a diverse communications and engagement profession for the NHS and across the public sector.

The Charter's headline ambition is that at least 15% of the most senior NHS communications professionals should be from an ethnic minority background by 2030. We are a long way from this ambition as according to 'The state of NHS communications' report, it is estimated that only around 5% of senior NHS communications professionals are from an ethnic minority background.

In addition, 61% of senior NHS communicators report that their communications workforce does not reflect the local communities they serve. In a separate survey carried out by the Taskforce, almost two-thirds of communications professionals (63%) said they were dissatisfied with the culture within the NHS.

Having diversity at senior levels within the communications workforce that reflects the communities the NHS serves helps to ensure more culturally relevant messaging that resonates with diverse local communities. This can help improve the effectiveness of communications campaigns, for example, when it comes to promoting take-up of vaccines among ethnic minorities and other underserved communities. It also signals a genuine commitment to equality, which can inspire future leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

By signing the Charter, NHS leaders publicly declare their personal commitment to:

• Taking personal responsibility for championing diversity;
• Building a representative workforce;
• Developing knowledge and understanding of racism;
• Extending professional networks to include colleagues from ethnic minorities;
• Providing tailored mentoring opportunities; and
• Identifying bias in recruitment policies and processes.

Over 100 individuals have signed the Charter so far, but the Taskforce is keen to gain further support.

Edna Boampong, director of communications and engagement, Liverpool City Council and chair of the Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications, said:

"The Taskforce's report lifted the veil on how ethnic minority communicators consistently identify institutional racism and structural disadvantage as part of their working lives.

"Diversity in communication roles isn't just a moral imperative – it's essential for building trust and delivering services that truly meet the needs of every community. By signing the Diversity Charter, people are making a public commitment to challenge bias, champion inclusion and ensure that our communications workforce reflects the rich diversity of the people we serve.

"It is fantastic that so many leaders have already taken a stand by signing our Diversity Charter, and we would like to thank them. This is how we create lasting change, retain talented ethnic minority communicators and inspire the next generation of leaders."

Across healthcare, inclusive communications has the power to shape better outcomes for all. This is even more important with the government's Ten-year health plan and the role diversity plays in strengthening the ability of the NHS to deliver high-quality care for every community.

Daniel Reynolds, communications director at the NHS Confederation and member of the Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications, said:

"Without action to tackle discrimination and inequalities, we risk losing even more talented ethnic minority communications professionals in the NHS. As leaders within the NHS communications profession and beyond, we can make positive changes that champion equitable working cultures and help to bring about the more diverse communications workforce that we need. We urge all communications and other leaders working in the NHS to sign up to the Charter and deliver to the standards that it sets out."

Ranjeet Kaile, director of communications, stakeholder engagement at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and member of the Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications, said:

"Representation in NHS communications is not optional – it is fundamental to building trust and delivering care that truly reflects the communities we serve. Communicators are often the eyes, ears and conscience of our organisations. If our teams do not reflect the diversity of our patients, staff and communities, we risk diminishing the true value communications can bring. By signing the charter and committing to action, leaders can ensure that NHS communications are inclusive, authentic and rooted in lived experience. This is how we create belonging, strengthen trust, and make the NHS a service for everyone."

Sheeraz Gulsher, co-founder of People Like Us, a not-for-profit supporting people from ethnic minority backgrounds, said:

"The NHS, more than most organisations, cannot afford to lose skilled communicators who bring cultural insight, trust, and genuine connection to the communities it serves.

"When bias and inequality push people out, the consequences reach far beyond the workplace. The Diversity Charter offers a practical route to move from commitment to action. We fully support this initiative and encourage NHS leaders to sign the Charter and help build a profession where every communicator can thrive and stay."

Kamiqua Lake, chief executive of Coldr, a strategy, cultural connections, marketing communications and social impact consultancy, said:

"The NHS cannot look away from what the data shows. Only 5% of senior NHS communicators are from ethnic minority backgrounds, and more than a quarter expect to leave within three years. Across the wider sector, research from the UK Black Comms Network shows that 68% of Black and mixed-race communications professionals have considered leaving the PR and comms industry. 

"When this loss of talent is felt within the NHS, culturally fluent communication becomes more difficult, leading to persistent inequalities in people's health experiences and outcomes. Signing the Diversity Charter is a meaningful step toward building representative teams, reducing disparities and shaping communications that genuinely change lives."

Sarah Waddington CBE, chief executive of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and member of the Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications, said:

"The PRCA fully supports the Taskforce for Diversity in NHS Communications and its call for decisive action to tackle bias and discrimination within our profession. Communications teams shape public understanding and trust, and it is essential that they reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The fact that so many talented ethnic minority practitioners feel undervalued or unsupported should be a wake-up call for leaders across the NHS.

“By signing the Diversity Charter, chief executive officers and communications leaders send a clear signal that fairness, inclusion and opportunity are non-negotiable. We urge organisations across the system to join this collective effort and help build a communications workforce where every practitioner can thrive."

Sign up to the Diversity Charter.