NHS Trust launches bold Anti-Racist Action Plan to tackle inequality and discrimination
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has announced its commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation, unveiling a bold and comprehensive action plan designed to eliminate racism and embed equity across all areas of the Trust. The announcement follows the continued impact of racism on staff, patients, and communities.
People from racialised, ethnically, and culturally diverse communities often face stark disparities when engaging with mental health services. For example, individuals from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, face higher rates of restraint in mental health units and are more likely to encounter mental health services through the criminal justice system.
The Trust also found that 38.6% of staff from an ethnic minority background experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse from a patient, relative, or member of the public in the last 12 months.
Anna Rowen, Director of People and Culture, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been leading on the Anit-Racist Action Plan and says,
“The data is clear; racism is harming our staff and our communities, and we cannot and will not look away. From the disproportionate detaining of Black and minority ethnic individuals to the normalisation of racial abuse in the workplace, the evidence demands action. We are taking bold, measurable steps to dismantle these injustices and build a Trust where equity, dignity, and safety are non-negotiable for everyone. This is not just a campaign; it’s a cultural transformation.”
At the core of this initiative is the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), a national tool being used to embed anti-racism into governance, service delivery, and workplace culture. The Trust’s Anti-Racist Action Plan was co-developed with 1500 staff and over 500 individuals across Hampshire and Isle of Wight from Black African, African Caribbean, and diverse Asian backgrounds, including service users, carers, faith leaders, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, young people, and people with disabilities and mental health conditions.
One of those voices is Len, from the Southampton BAME Carers group, whose insight helped shape the plan. Len says,
“I am encouraged by the Trust’s ongoing engagement with communities and representation by members of our communities in the structures and implementation required to address these inequalities. I believe it is also important for us to work together to fully achieve the aims of the Trust becoming fully anti-racist.”
The Trust’s Board has issued a clear and public statement:
“We are committed to being an anti-racist Trust. We have zero tolerance for racism in any form towards our staff, patients, or the communities we serve. Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, and valued. We are taking active steps to challenge discrimination, remove barriers, and build an inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated, and equity is at the heart of everything we do.”
To help achieve the plan, the Trust’s Engagement Team ran a series of workshops and surveys to gather insight from local communities. This work identified nine key areas of focus including Leadership and Governance, Partnership Working, Co-Learning, Data-Driven Improvement, Information and Advice, Digital Inclusion, Cultural Awareness and Staff Knowledge, Workforce Diversity and Inclusion and Co-Production.
Tackling Racism is everyone’s responsibility, and the Trust is calling on all staff and people who use their services to take part in this journey by:
- Reporting incidents of racism or discrimination.
- Raising awareness among colleagues, patients, and carers.
- Using new resources including posters and banners to promote anti-racism and encourage active reporting.
- Participating in race equality staff networks and allyship workshops.
- Sharing stories of impact and change.
“This is a defining moment for our organisation. We are moving beyond recognising inequality, we are actively dismantling it. With courage, clarity, and collective responsibility, we are embedding anti-racism into the very fabric of our Trust not as a one-off initiative, but as a permanent, measurable commitment to justice and equity.” Ron Shields, Chief Executive, Hampshire Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
To find out more about the Trust’s new Anti-Racism Action Plan, please visit www.