NHS Race Equality Data Reveals White Applicants Now 1.77 Times More Likely to Be Hired Than Ethnic Minority Counterparts
New data from the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard has revealed that the recruitment gap between white and ethnic minority applicants has worsened to its lowest level of equity in a decade, with white applicants now 1.77 times more likely to be appointed from a job shortlist than their minority ethnic counterparts.
The figures, published as part of the NHS Confederation's latest health sector developments on 14-15 April 2026, show that at 80% of NHS trusts, white applicants are significantly more likely to be recruited than ethnic minority candidates — a disparity that has worsened by four percentage points since 2023.
Background
The NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) was established in 2015 to promote equality of career opportunities and fairer treatment for Black and Minority Ethnic staff within the NHS. It requires all NHS organisations to report annually on nine indicators covering workforce data, staff survey results, and board representation.
Despite the overall proportion of ethnic minority staff in the NHS workforce rising to 28.6% — an increase of 14% on the previous year — the data consistently shows that representation is heavily concentrated in lower pay bands, with significant barriers to progression into senior roles.
Key Developments
The 2025 WRES data shows the recruitment disparity ratio has reached 1.77, meaning white applicants are nearly twice as likely to be appointed from shortlisting as their ethnic minority counterparts. This represents the worst level of equity recorded in a decade and comes despite years of stated commitments to improving diversity in NHS recruitment.
The data also reveals that only 42.2% of staff from a Black background believe their trust provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion. Rates of harassment, bullying, and abuse reported by ethnic minority staff remain higher than those reported by white colleagues, with 24.9% of ethnic minority staff reporting such experiences compared to 20.7% of white staff.
Why It Matters
The NHS is the UK's largest employer, and persistent racial inequality in its workforce undermines both the organisation's stated values and its ability to provide culturally competent care to an increasingly diverse patient population. The data points to systemic barriers that go beyond individual bias and require structural reform of recruitment and progression processes.
What's Next
NHS trusts are being urged to implement action plans focusing on fair recruitment practices, mandatory inclusive recruitment training, diverse interview panels for senior posts, and stronger anti-bullying measures. The NHS Confederation has called for greater leadership accountability and transparent progress reporting to drive meaningful change. Sources: NHS Confederation, NHS Employers
