Black and minority ethnic (BME) leaders in the healthcare system are hoped to benefit from a new programme launched by the NHS Leadership Academy.
The Ready Now action programme will help to develop leadership skills and ensure workers with a BME background reach their full potential and progress to senior management roles.
Participants are given coaching input and required to coach at least one other BME colleague in the NHS.
Managing Director of the NHS Leadership Academy, Jan Sobieraj, said: “The Leadership Academy is committed to the promotion and development of an inclusive and diverse workforce at all levels in the health service. The Ready Now programme will play an important role in preparing the next generation of Chief Executives and senior leaders from BME backgrounds. It’s important work.”
They will also be subject to face-to-face residential development modules with self-directed and workplace-based learning.
Former programme participant and Deputy Executive Nurse and Deputy Director of Quality at City Wide Commissioning, North, South and Central Manchester CCGs, Patrick Nyarumbu, said: “[The programme] focuses on the challenges you face in the system and equips you with the skills to overcome them.”
Of the 1.3 million people that work in the NHS, almost 20% are from BME background, many of whom are doctors, nurses and midwives.
The Breaking Through programme is another example of the success schemes run by Leadership Academy and has seen 75% of its alumni go onto senior roles within the NHS.
The wider goal of NHS Leadership is to promote diversity through the healthcare service work to develop more inclusive NHS boards.
Application begin on Tuesday 21 October and can be made through NHS Leadership Academy’s website
