Poor leadership diversity behind higher mortality of black and Asian children

The lack of diversity in NHS leadership is a contributor to ongoing higher maternal and infant mortality among some minority ethnic groups, experts have warned.

Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, called for local organisations to be held to account for a lack of diversity in leadership.

At present, he said, it was contributing to racial and cultural bias, and in turn to NHS “policies and practices impacting patient experiences and outcomes, including those for ethnic minority mothers and babies”.

Mr Naqvi said: “Evidence clearly shows that a fully engaged and representative workforce at all levels leads to better care, safety, and optimal outcomes for all patients.

“NHS organisations should focus on evidence-based interventions that support the progression of ethnic minority staff across the workforce pipeline.”

He said interventions should target communities at high risk of premature births, including anti-racism approaches to quality improvement in maternity and neonatal services.

To implement such approaches, he said: “There needs to be leadership that represents the NHS workforce as a whole and the communities it serves.” He added: “At the moment, the NHS leadership does not have the diversity of thoughts needed to implement these policies.”

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Source: HSJ, 18 November 2024