The NHS 10-year plan states that “the NHS draws on a remarkably rich diversity of people to provide care to our patients. But we fall short in valuing their contributions and ensuring fair treatment and respect.”
Over 25% of the NHS workforce are from minority ethnic groups and 77% are women. We all use technology daily to care for patients, and this has become even more crucial over the last few years. However, there are less than 5 women of colour in executive or director level non-clinical digital leadership roles such as CIO and CTO roles across >200 NHS trusts, GP Federations and national organisations. We are helping the NHS develop a leadership pipeline that more closely reflects our workforce – something NHS England and ICSs have pledged to do.
We now have over 4000 members and allies from all backgrounds including underrepresented groups in digital leadership such as nurses, social workers and AHPs. Organizations including trusts and NHS England have sought our advice on recruitment in order to improve equality. We provide women of colour with a voice and a platform to progress into leadership roles.
The Network was founded by Dr Shera Chok and Sarah Amani in 2019. We were Chief Clinical Information Officers and realised that over the last decade there have only been a handful of women of colour in similar roles. As diverse teams are more creative, productive, attract the most talented people and are associated with better patient experience, we decided to change the balance. In this short video, Dr Shera Chok talks about the Network and what we want to achieve: https://youtu.be/IPtYVTxLab8
Feedback from our members and allies:
“What an amazing group !” Navina Evans, Chief Workforce Officer, NHS England.
“A real pleasure to be amongst inspiring women from minority ethnic groups and to celebrate the remarkable success of the Shuri Network a year on! ” Sonia Patel, System CIO, NHS England.
“The work you do is so, so important. We are hugely grateful for what the Network does.” Acosia Nyanin, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England, NHS England.
“Joining the Shuri Network is a game-changer. Before, I was content with just doing my job, now I am keen to do more, to be part of the digital transformation and be a change-maker.” Rodaluz Trinidad, Shuri Fellow
” I am having the time of my life. Shuri is the best thing that has changed my perception of career progression. I have reached out to senior people who are pushing me to develop and I now have sponsorship for further education in digital health. Thank you!” Kerenhappuch Tazvivi, Shuri Fellow.
“The Shuri Network has been my rock” Anna Awoliyi, Shuri member and CNIO, Epsom and St Hellier NHS Trust.
