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. The Network is supported by NHS England.
Our Mission Statement
We will not rest until our digital workforce and leadership represent the wider health and care workforce and the communities we serve.
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.
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.” We are also included in the NHS England Three Year Delivery Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Services published in March 2023 as an initiative that supports staff to deliver safer, more personalised, and more equitable care.
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, networking 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 NHS England, Digital Health, NHS Providers, the NHS Confederation and many others.
We inspire change and open doors
Our team, allies and members have won 15 national awards in the last 4 years for our impact on delivering digital innovation, empowering women in technology and improving patient care:
- 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
- Dr Shera Chok, our Chair was awarded the Zenith Global Health Special Recognition Award in October 2023 for her contribution to healthcare delivery and the positive impact of the Network.
- Six of our Digital Fellows won awards at the Zenith Global Health Awards in November 2024.
- Our members Ramandeep Kaur and Tosin Akinlabi were recognized as the CCIO of the Year and Rising Star of the Year at the Digital Health Awards, 2024.
- Jon Hoeksma, CEO of Digital Health was nominated by our Network and won the national Ally of the Year Award at the BAME Health and Care Awards,2024.
- Our Chair, Dr Shera Chok was named as a national AI Visionary and Pioneer for Women’s Health and AI by the Health Innovation Network, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and the Department of Health and Social Care, 2025
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.