Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme
Supporting health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures, where difference is welcomed and celebrated.
Our Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme is a comprehensive organisational development programme which helps organisations advance equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace.
Delivered through a year-long series of events, it provides access to leading industry experts, good practice, guidance, resources and networking opportunities and is designed around the ambitions and requirements of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and NHS EDI improvement plan.
Benefit from a virtual session for board members, four face-to-face interactive modules and specialist virtual masterclasses. In addition, we host a series of drop-in networking sessions for EDI leads and staff network chairs.
Built on a foundation of delivering successful diversity and inclusion partners programmes, the annual programmes provides thought leadership, tools and tips to help put your organisation at the forefront of EDI practice.
The latest cohort started in September 2025.
Programme benefits
With the new 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS and a renewed focus on workforce transformation and equity, this programme is more-timely than ever and plays a crucial role in helping organisations meet their commitments to all staff under the Workforce Race Equality Standard and the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES). The 2023 WDES report noted that organisations participating in our programme performed better in three of the WDES metrics.
The programme is underpinned by the NHS values and supports:
- leaders to integrate the latest sustainable diversity and inclusion practices
- the creation of culturally appropriate and inclusive services to meet the needs of a diverse range of patients and care service users
- organisations to be the best employers and service providers they can be
- efforts to achieve the requirements of NHS and other external benchmarks and standards.
I’ve had the privilege of hearing from brilliant speakers and passionate leaders, with each one offering guidance and examples of bold, brave practice across the health and care sector. The programme has deepened my understanding of EDI in practice and reinforced how essential this work is.
OD Manager, NHS North Central ICB
The highlight from this programme has been the opportunity to connect and engage with other EDI professionals and likeminded individuals with a shared passion for tackling systemic inequalities within healthcare.
Head of EDI, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Who is the programme for?
Organisations
- NHS trusts (including acute, community, learning disabilities, mental health, ambulance and integrated care systems)
- Local government organisations
- Private sector organisations providing health and social care services
- Voluntary and charity sector organisations
Individuals
- Board members
- Equality and diversity leads
- Human resources professionals
- Staff network chairs, co-chairs and leads
- Learning and organisational development leads
- Service improvement, staff-side representatives and project managers
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The programme provides an opportunity for participants to claim Continuing Professional Development hours following attendance at our modules. Please note these are individually assessed and accredited by CPD following each event.
Cost
The cost of this programme is £3,500 + VAT per annum per organisation. This secures three places and we recommend a board member, EDI lead and staff network chair attend each face to face module. An unlimited number of delegates can attend our virtual masterclasses.
Dates for the 2025/26 programme
Face-to-face modules - taking place 10am-4pm
- Module 1 - Thursday 15 October 2025 - Horizon, Leeds
- Module 2 - Tuesday 3 February - Friends' Meeting House, Manchester
- Module 3 - Wednesday 29 April - The Wesley Euston Hotel, London
- Module 4 - Tuesday 1 July 2026 - Horizon, 2, Brewery Wharf, Leeds
Virtual masterclasses
- Masterclass 1 - Thursday 20 November 2025 - 11.30am - 1pm
- Masterclass 2 - Wednesday 4 March 2026 - 3pm - 4.30pm
- Masterclass 3 - Thursday 21 May 2026 - 11.30am - 1pm
Virtual drop-in sessions for EDI leads
- 11 November 2025 - 2-3pm
- 8 January 2026 - 11-12noon
- 12 March 2026 - 2-3pm
- 4 June 2026 - 11-12noon
Virtual drop-in sessions for staff network chairs
- 6 November 2025 - 11-12noon
- 7 January 2026 - 2-3pm
- 11 March 2026 - 11-12noon
- 3 June 2026 - 2-3pm
Participating partner organisations 2025/26 programme
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- GTD Healthcare
- Health Research Authority
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
- North East North Cumbria ICB
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- SYNLAB UK & Ireland
- Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
We had some really rich conversations about how we keep the momentum of EDI going within the NHS in the current climate, and how we continue to demonstrate value and impact in meaningful ways.
Senior Project Manager - EDI and Belonging Lead, NHS South Yorkshire ICB