The HSJ, as the Health Service Journal likes to be known these days, has managed to produce one of the most intriguing headlines of the week: ‘NHS is “pandering to ministers” by cutting its equality, diversity and inclusion teams to 35 whole-time posts.’
A mere 35? That, by the way, is merely the central administration of the NHS in England. It doesn’t include NHS trusts. Overall, according to a set of Freedom of Information requests submitted by the Taxpayers’ Alliance last October, NHS England employs 800 diversity and inclusion officers, at a cost of £40 million a year. What do they all do? Accuse each other of discrimination, for one thing. NHS England is currently embroiled in a tribunal claim from its own joint director of equality, diversity and inclusion.
The NHS has pledged to reduce the number of diversity officers in the NHS by 40 per cent – although you can still pick up a job if you hurry: Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool is currently advertising for an equality and diversity manager on up to £47,672 a year.
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