The NHS Alliance: Ethnic minority leadership in the NHS: progression, representation, retention and organisational culture (15 September 2026)

Summary

The NHS in England is facing an exodus of minority ethnic managers who have suffered racism, exclusion and discrimination during their working lives, a report from the NHS Alliance has found.

Almost four-fifths of managers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds have experienced racism, exclusion and obstacles to progressing in their careers, according to a survey carried out by the NHS Alliance.

The problem is so widespread that one in five say they will quit the NHS in the next three years, amid renewed concern the service is doing too little to eradicate ingrained racism.

The NHS Alliance, which surveyed 950 BAME managers, said the findings are “further evidence of the corrosive and demoralising impact of racism in the NHS”. They risk a “haemorrhaging” of managers and senior leaders from BAME backgrounds, it warned.