The Shuri Network is the first NHS and care network of women from minority ethnic groups in digital health. We are a unique team that has had a big impact on celebrating difference and diversity in digital health, challenging the system to take action and supporting women from ethnic minorities to succeed in their careers. We are named after Shuri, the Black Panther character who is responsible for her country’s technological success and champion safety, innovation and diversity, and are supported by Health Education England, NHS England and NHS Digital.
The national Digital Health & Social Care Plan published in June 2022 by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care cites the Shuri Network as one of the key actions for delivering a digital future and building digital skills: “We will .. continue to support the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, including through continued support of the Shuri network for women from minority ethnic groups in digital health.”
Join the Shuri Network
Membership is free and open to all (women from minority ethnic groups in digital health and allies who support our aims) and will ensure you receive our newsletters and updates about events and opportunities.
We do the following :
• Increase the visibility of women from ethnic minorities and provide a national platform to share our contribution to digital innovation and patient care.
• Offer Fellowships, shadowing opportunities, podcasts and bursaries to support professional development and demystify careers in digital and data.
• Challenge the NHS to reduce discrimination and increase diverse representation at senior levels in line with recommendations in the NHS People Plan.
• Highlight successful role models.
• Highlight the adverse impact Covid-19 has had on ethnic minority communities and staff in the UK with the BBC and SkyNews and as a member of FEMHO, the Federation of Ethnic Minority Healthcare Organisations.
• Collaborate with partners including Health Education England, NHS England, Digital Health, NHS Digital, the Health Foundation, Hunter Healthcare and many others.
We inspire change and open doors. We have won 4 national awards in the last 3 years:
- The TechWomen 100 Network of the Year Award in 2020
- The Maker’s Academy Women in Software 2021 ChangeMakers Award in September 2021
- The HSJ NHS Race Equality Award in November 2021
- Bisi Soledolu, our project manager, won the national BAME Health and Care Award for Workforce Innovator for our Digital Fellowship programme in June 2022
We stand in solidarity with our community, our members and allies in the fight against racism. Our network has always stood for equality, diversity and safety. Black Lives Matter.
