We aim to lead on making inclusion a reality within the NHS. We’ll do this through investment in excellent, knowledgeable and capable leadership.
We know that diversity and inclusion leads to improved health and greater staff and patient experiences of the NHS, and we welcome the challenge of enabling staff from all backgrounds to develop and excel in their roles. From those just starting out to more senior colleagues, we’re here to support every staff member to develop their potential and to promote leadership at every level. We’re playing our part in addressing underrepresentation at senior levels and ensuring that the NHS truly represents our diverse patient population now and into the future.

For information on inclusive leadership development offers in the east of England, please contact
[email protected] or [email protected]
More details about inclusion, equality and diversity nationally can be found here
Information on staff networks can be found here
East of England offers

East of England Positive Action Programme
Open to alumni of the Leadership Academy’s Ready Now and Stepping Up programmes and other staff from ethnic minority backgrounds working across systems in the East of England.
Bookings are open for the next series of workshops run by Patricia Ezechie, a creative and experienced coach who specialises in career management, personal development, resilience and wellbeing. Join Patricia for these thought-provoking and interactive sessions designed to challenge your assumptions, to offer practical tips and tools for career development, and to provide opportunities to learn from each other.
Personal Impact, Influence and Networking Workshop
Tuesday 13th June from 2.00 – 4.00: Click here to book
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Leading with Confidence Workshop
Wednesday 28th June from 10.00 – 12.00: Click here to book
New: Creating the Career You Want™ Career Development Sessions
Building on the strategies introduced in the Creating the Career You Want™ workshop, Patricia is offering two focussed Career Development sessions, one for those working at bands 6-7 (or equivalent) and the other for those working at band 8a and above (or equivalent).
These sessions are open to alumni of the Leadership Academy’s Ready Now and Stepping Up programmes and other staff from ethnic minority backgrounds working across systems in the East of England who have previously attended a Creating the Career You Want™ workshop.
Creating the Career You Want™ Career Development Session 1: bands 6-7
Tuesday 23rd May 2023 from 1.30 – 5.00: Click here to book (password career)
Creating the Career You Want™ Career Development Session 2: band 8a and above
Wednesday 31st May 2023 from 10.00 – 1.30: Click here to book (password career)
Places are limited so please only book one of these Creating the Career You Want™ Career Development sessions if you have previously attended a Creating the Career You Want™ workshop (or will do so on 10th May) and can commit to the session. Places cancelled at the last minute, or non-attendance on the day, deny others the opportunity to participate.
Neurodiversity Webinars

Coming soon – A second series of Neurodiversity webinars facilitated by Purple. These interactive webinars will be delivered by neurodiverse facilitators giving context and real-world experience that can be built upon. The webinars will provide insights across a range of topics and can be accessed as stand-alone sessions or as a series to build on the learning.
The webinar series will provide an introduction to neurodivergent conditions, highlight the possible advantages that neurodiversity can give people and consider how to ensure reasonable adjustments are in place to enable neurodiverse staff to thrive. The series will also cover why making adjustments is beneficial for all and what can be the consequences of not engaging with, and adjusting for, neurodiverse staff.
Each webinar will run for 90 mins with an optional 30 mins afterwards for Q&A.
Webinar 1: What is Neurodiversity?
Tuesday 13th June 9.30 – 11.30: Click here to book
Webinar 2: The power of Neurodivergent thinking
Wednesday 21st June 1.30 – 3.30: Click here to book
Webinar 3: Action planning for Neurodiversity
Thursday 29th June 9.30 – 11.30: Click here to book

Compassionate and Inclusive Cultures
Find out more about our compassionate and inclusive leadership development offers and book your place here
Regional offers
Inclusive Leadership in Health and Care
This course supports managers and supervisors working in health and care across the UK to develop inclusive and compassionate leadership skills. Further information and booking details can be found here: https://london.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/

NHS East of England equality, diversity and inclusion
The role of the East of England’s Equality and Inclusion team is to support NHS organisations within the region to meet their legal public sector duties under the Equality Act 2010 and deliver key priorities set out in the NHS People Plan. Their work on the EDI agenda supports organisations and our NHS people in ensuring their experience at work is the best it can be.
Visit the team’s website to find an overview of their key priorities, the East of England Antiracism strategy, and other resources to help organisations create workplace environments that are inclusive, equitable and compassionate: NHS England East of England » Equality, diversity and inclusion
Useful links and resources
- NHS England » New figures show NHS workforce most diverse it has ever been
- Combatting racial discrimination against minority ethnic nurses, midwives and nursing associates
- Dare to Care (Creating an Anti-Racist Environment)
- Shattered hopes: black and minority ethnic leaders’ experiences of breaking the glass ceiling in the NHS
- How to recruit and support disabled staff in the NHS
- Workforce Disability Equality Standard
- Workforce race inequalities and inclusion in NHS providers
- Creating a personal, fair and diverse NHS
- RCN Cultural Ambassador Programme
- TRUST an essential ingredient for effective and inclusive leadership in the NHS
- Building positive workplace cultures in the NHS
- NHS Race and Health Observatory