On 22 February 2023, NHS England published the annual Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) data report. The 2022 report continues to make use of more granular data than pre-2020 versions, reporting by ethnicity, sex, region and occupation - a welcome inclusion that will aid the development of targeted initiatives to tackle race inequality through an intersectional lens. 

The foreword by Navina Evans, chief workforce officer, NHS England and Em Wilkinson-Brice, national director for people, NHS England, makes reference to recommendations from the ‘Leadership for a collaborative and inclusive future’ review (published June 2022) calling for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded at all levels within the health service. The foreword also makes the moral case for tackling race inequality, as in previous years, while making the case for the link between improved staff experience and better patient outcomes for the first time in this report’s history.

This briefing summarises the 2022 Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) data report’s key findings and next steps.