Hear from healthcare leaders on why the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy matters to staff and citizens.
David Melbourne, Chief Executive Officer at NHS Birmingham and Solihull and NHS Black Country
"As Chief Executive of NHS Birmingham and Solihull, I want to express how important this equality, diversity and inclusion strategy is for our staff, our patients, and our communities. Birmingham and the Black Country are some of the most diverse places in the country, and our health and care services must reflect, respect and champion that diversity. This plan sets out clear, practical steps to make our workplaces fairer and more inclusive, and to ensure everyone who works with us or uses our services is treated with dignity and respect. I am fully committed to delivering this strategy and to creating a culture where every person feels valued, supported and able to thrive."
Sharon Malhi, Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System's EDI Senior Responsible Officer and Executive Chief People Officer at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
"Sharing our Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) equality, diversity and inclusion strategy marks a commitment to lasting change across our health and care system. This is about more than words - it’s about creating a culture where everybody does inclusion and every person, whatever their background, feels they truly belong. Together, we will dismantle barriers that prevent people from thriving, challenge discrimination wherever it exists and build workplaces thar reflect and respect the rich diversity of Birmingham and Solihull. Through collaboration, courage, and compassion, we will lead a social movement for change that makes inclusion not an initiative but an everyday reality for our colleagues, patients, and communities."
Yassar Mohammed, Head of EDI at NHS Birmingham and Solihull
"Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy is a shared vision for equity, belonging. It’s a call to action to turn our organisational values into daily practice and ensure equity is everyone’s responsibility. By listening, learning, and leading with empathy, together we will create environments of care where colleagues, patients, and communities thrive. This strategy isn’t a destination; it’s a journey we take together to ensure equity, courage and compassion are at the heart of everything we do."