Public Health Tackling Racism and Inequality Programme
In February 2021, ADPH London released a position statement supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This statement highlights racism as a public health issue, given the immediate and structural factors that have impacted these communities and it is vital that we develop approaches to take action. As part of ADPH London’s commitment to mitigate any further widening of inequalities between Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and White British people, the position statement highlights the following five themes for action development:
- Trust and cohesion: We support the work of the wider system in recognising ethnic identity, being aware of the term ‘BAME’ and will focus on building trust and cohesion with communities, understanding what it is, and how we build and strengthen this.
- Improving ethnicity data collection and research: The programme will focus on improving ethnicity data collection and research, and exploring ethnic identity with communities and the wider system.
- Diversifying the workforce and encouraging systems leadership: Work is already taking place in the wider system with London Councils planning ethnicity pay reporting and race equality standards for London local authorities. Our plan will focus on public health recruitment and mentoring support for those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (entry to senior level).
- Co-production with communities: The programme will focus on supporting public health professionals and wider partners in understanding co-production and what good practice looks like.
- Embedding public health work in social and economic policy: We will focus on bringing our public health voice to raise awareness on structural racism in wider determinants including housing and employment.
Diversifying the workforce and systems leadership training for London Directors of Public Health and Consultants in Public Health
We are currently running a series of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (EDIE) training, designed for directors and consultants across the London and City network. The training consists of five core modules and is facilitated by the Staff College. Using concepts of intersectionality, multi-dimensional racism and cultural competence, the programme seeks to support inclusive leadership and explore public narratives and racism. It is an opportunity to change the culture within the public health workforce and to improve standards for the communities we serve. This training forms a part of the diversifying the workforce and systems leadership workstream.
Exploratory research project: Removing structural barriers to representation in recruitment, progression and retention (OHID)
This exploratory study undertaken by Dr Asta Medisauskaite (Researcher in Residence, OHID London region) reviewed metrics to monitor how equitable and inclusive the health and care workforce is; identified interventions that improve diversity in the workforce & explored what action needs to be taken to improve EDI in the health and care workforce. The report presents the key findings and observed challenges in these areas. Recommendations based on these observations include improving data collection on and analyses of various work processes (e.g., exit interviews) and career paths (e.g., apprenticeships); co-designing interventions with those for whom the interventions are being developed and evaluating them; embedding EDI into business priorities and all processes. The research will help inform pan London work to improve EDI representation in the public health workforce.
The NHS must become proactively ‘anti-racist’
The launch of the London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH)
On 21 November 2023, over 100 people gathered together to celebrate, share and invest in the London anti-racism collaboration for health. We heard from a range of senior leaders in London and their support for, and journey in anti-racism work including the Deputy Mayor Debbie Weekes-Bernard, North East London Integrated Care System Chair Marie Gabriel, Regional Director of Public Health Professor Kevin Fenton, UCL Professor and Director of the Institute of Health Equity Michael Marmot, and London Regional Director of NHS England Caroline Clarke.
The day included table discussions around what an anti-racist health and care system looks like, and what we can do to get there. These themes will inform the LARCH programme of work over the next 12-18 months.
This year the LARCH will hold online learning events, taking forward topics highlighted through the table discussions and aim to have a support provider in place by April.
You can find their page on the London Health and Care Partnership website – link below.
For more information on the Public Health Tackling Racism and Inequality programme, please get in touch with the ADPH London team at office@adphlondon.org.uk.